Dictionary Definition ... A Religious or Solemn Ceremony ... According to the Prescribed Order
On reviewing the above definitions I have chosen to write of my 90th birthday celebration for Monday 9th May 2022,
The logical day to celebrate was Sunday 8th May, which was also Mother's Day, so booking a venue would have to be considered early in the piece.
For my 70th birthday we had chosen a back yard venue, for relatives and friends, at home. For my 80th, the family spent a week-end at the lakeside park at Nagambie. So, something different for my 90th!
The Covid epidemic restricted the choice, so we finally settled on a family gathering for lunch at the Railway Hotel in Goorambat. Over recent times this veue has earned an excellent reputation. Furthermore, it is central for all my children.
In February, my son-in-law Heath, who resides in the Goorambat district, made the booking.
Now, to organise the rest of the family!
Grandchildren have the habit of participating in a variety of sporting activities, particularly in football and netball. It wasn't an easy task to satisfy them all. Finally, all bar one could be accommodated.
Sunday, 8th May, turned out to be a reasonably pleasant Autumn day. My immediate family, plus a niece and nephew, (twins), attended and enjoyed the large meal provided.
Afterwards, they all attended our Benalla home, (just 20 minutes away), for the cutting of the cake and some formalities, before leaving for their homes in Melbourne, Wangaratta, Wodonga and the Yarrawonga Road.
The following day, my actual birthday, Monday 9th May, was again a pleasant day, and Bernadette and I settled down for a quiet day. We had planned to go to a local coffee shop for a quiet lunch. (Monday is not such a good day in Benalla for such an outing.)
Just before midday a car pulled into our driveway and, to our surprise, out stepped Anthony, our eldest, who had returned from Melbourne. On questioning, he said that he had just come up to take us out for lunch on the actual day. We gratefully agreed and suggested that there might not be much of a selection for a venue. He suggested the Art Gallery and we warned him against that as it was not likely to be open. Nevertheless, we got into his car and proceeded to drive down the street.
I was the "doubting Thomas", but he was apparently confident, and on reaching the Art Gallery, Blimey, it was open! On entering the gallery cafeteria, I was overwhelmed to be welcomed by the other three of my children. There we were! My wonderful family unit! They had all driven back from their respective homes, some distance away, just to be with their "Old Man" on his "Special Day" ... His 90th Birthday.
Ray O'Shannessy
July 2022
The logical day to celebrate was Sunday 8th May, which was also Mother's Day, so booking a venue would have to be considered early in the piece.
For my 70th birthday we had chosen a back yard venue, for relatives and friends, at home. For my 80th, the family spent a week-end at the lakeside park at Nagambie. So, something different for my 90th!
The Covid epidemic restricted the choice, so we finally settled on a family gathering for lunch at the Railway Hotel in Goorambat. Over recent times this veue has earned an excellent reputation. Furthermore, it is central for all my children.
In February, my son-in-law Heath, who resides in the Goorambat district, made the booking.
Now, to organise the rest of the family!
Grandchildren have the habit of participating in a variety of sporting activities, particularly in football and netball. It wasn't an easy task to satisfy them all. Finally, all bar one could be accommodated.
Sunday, 8th May, turned out to be a reasonably pleasant Autumn day. My immediate family, plus a niece and nephew, (twins), attended and enjoyed the large meal provided.
Afterwards, they all attended our Benalla home, (just 20 minutes away), for the cutting of the cake and some formalities, before leaving for their homes in Melbourne, Wangaratta, Wodonga and the Yarrawonga Road.
The following day, my actual birthday, Monday 9th May, was again a pleasant day, and Bernadette and I settled down for a quiet day. We had planned to go to a local coffee shop for a quiet lunch. (Monday is not such a good day in Benalla for such an outing.)
Just before midday a car pulled into our driveway and, to our surprise, out stepped Anthony, our eldest, who had returned from Melbourne. On questioning, he said that he had just come up to take us out for lunch on the actual day. We gratefully agreed and suggested that there might not be much of a selection for a venue. He suggested the Art Gallery and we warned him against that as it was not likely to be open. Nevertheless, we got into his car and proceeded to drive down the street.
I was the "doubting Thomas", but he was apparently confident, and on reaching the Art Gallery, Blimey, it was open! On entering the gallery cafeteria, I was overwhelmed to be welcomed by the other three of my children. There we were! My wonderful family unit! They had all driven back from their respective homes, some distance away, just to be with their "Old Man" on his "Special Day" ... His 90th Birthday.
Ray O'Shannessy
July 2022
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