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| The birthday girl - Dympna |
The matriarch of our 'tribe' turned 90 at the end of January. My Aunty Dympna celebrated this wonderful milestone by inviting over 60 family and friends to a Mass, followed by a luncheon. One of her past pupils from her teaching days was the priest that concelebrated the Mass, along with two other dear friends of Dympna's - it was very moving. Then Dympna's youngest nephew Chris, who lives with his wife Mandy in Japan, sat up late into the night before her birthday, and wrote a special poem about his memories of her. Our cousin Brid in Ireland also wrote a wonderful poem. Both poems were read out at the luncheon. Thankfully the party was catered for by the staff at the retirement village where Dympna lives - they decorated the lovely big room, cooked and served the meal, then cleaned up afterwards - the whole day went like clockwork. Many thanks go to my elder sister Gemma who coordinated all the fine timings and sequence of events, even while she was absent for 2 months in Perth. It was a truly enjoyable celebration.
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| The Birthday Mass |
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| Delicious sponge cake |
My brother's 8 week old son Jackson wanted to share the limelight on the day. Dympna wasn't the oldest one there, but Jackson was certainly the youngest one! All of the ladies present wanted to nurse him or just wanted to touch his soft skin! Jackson brightened many old (and not so old) faces with his lovely, wide smile. No one was immune from his appeal!
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| Ret enjoys a nurse with Jackson |
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| My eldest brother Tracy with Jackson |
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| Jackson's mum Yudian gets to dry him after his bath - love this photo! |
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| Dympna with Jackson - he is giving her a big birthday smile |
Looks like AD had a great party.
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