We’re so grateful to all who contributed to our combined
80th birthday party. Not least of all is the group that was least represented
at the event: the medical people in Paihia, Whangarei, Auckland and Takapuna
who are persevering with keeping Dave going when his realism tended to overtake
his optimism since he got the cancer diagnosis thirteen years ago - there were
no plans for an 80th birthday then.
Family
Last Saturday, 16th May. saw huge and unexpected
attendances from among the wider family with people travelling from all over to
what Bev and I had thought was going to be a fairly modest, local event. We expected
that we’d see our Kiwi grandchildren. But we were blown away that Emma was able
to make a surprise visit from Sydney. All three spoke assuredly and amusingly. However,
new great grandbaby Cohen David made not the slightest noise the whole time, capturing
all hearts in a different way. We had a very special family dinner for twenty
in the dining room where the younger generation at a table of their own
obviously enjoyed themselves. (We were delighted that the Thomas clan also took
the opportunity to have one of their famed get-togethers later during the
evening).
Village
Several of Bev’s twice-a-week Indoor Bowling friends were
there. In fact, as a guest list expanded to include different groups, we
received hardly any apologies at all! It was also very special to have the
barbershop chorus and quartette along. These mostly very average singers have
given us a very special experience as we have been settling into a new way of
life. And it was a good rehearsal for a major performance we are doing at
Centrestage Theatre next week for Age Concern’s free concert for oldies — we’ll
probably be singing to some who are much younger than we are!
Speakers
It was fun to be reminded of some of the experiences that
we ourselves have recalled from time to time. It was fascinating to be told of
events that had completely passed from our minds over the years. We appreciated
comments on our contribution here in the last year or so. And it was moving and
humbling to hear Keith Rowe’s summation of the contribution we had made in
church and community over the years. I think I said afterwards that it was a
bit like being at one’s own funeral! It was a very special time.
Staff
We were all really impressed with how the Village staff and
facilities met our needs for this event. Inconvenience to other residents
seemed to be minimal and no requests were too hard to meet. There was plenty of
room for everyone to sit at tables but chairs were easily drawn together at one
end for the obligatory slideshow on a giant screen.
Chef Amanah and the kitchen staff prepared beautiful and
appropriate snacks for the afternoon. But they also produced casual lunches for
a few and a big dinner for twenty family in the evening as well as their
regular catering for seventy residents in the Serviced Apartments. Amanah is
keen to do more of this kind of catering and we can certainly recommend her.
Programme
We had half an hour of informal time, then refreshments and
some speeches. The Chorus sang a couple of numbers and we re-assembled to view
the Golden Wedding slides, this time with commentary from Dave. We cut the cake
that Joan carried on her knees all the way from Dunedin and our minister Robyn
sang a moving blessing. The Chorus closed the afternoon with the Irish
Blessing.
People said they appreciated the balance of the afternoon’s
programme and of course Christine did an absolutely splendid job of keeping it
all on track. Moving into a more comfortable phase of her own journey with
cancer, she took time off work and spared no effort to see that everything went
smoothly. So she was our number one guest at Dave’s birthday dinner on 20th; it was a neat way to
bring our 80th celebrations to an end.
Thanks
We didn’t manage to speak to everyone personally last
Saturday. So this is an appreciation of all that was done for us and said to us
over the last few days—and years. To have such friends, to be held in such high
regard and to be able to move forward with each other, is as much as anyone can
possibly ask.
Our thanks and love to all
Bev and Dave Mullan
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