So, as I wrote about before, we've played more than a little bit of Animal Crossing. I encouraged my mom to get a Switch and the game, but she held off for one reason or another. When she finally started playing, she took to it the way we all thought she would. By that, I mean she played a bit obsessively (no judgment, but it's a pretty accurate description). It was a good way to help her fill some hours and made for good conversation when much of our lives were rather limited. Anyway, the degree to which she enjoyed it gave me an idea.
My mom had not really had a big birthday party of her own ever. She went from parents who did not do such things to marriage and motherhood where her birthday was rolled into the day we decorated the Christmas tree to having her birthday celebrated with a granddaughter's. Sure, there were cakes and meals and small celebrations, but not a full big party with decorations. I noticed, and a few years back I asked her whether she would like one. She said we'd have a big party for her 70th. However, for her, that meant she would take everyone out to a restaurant that had a separate room we could reserve, she would buy our meal for us, and none of us would have to do any work. Yeah, that wasn't going to happen, and not just because I don't think we can ever eat in a restaurant ever again.
Anyway, the vaccines finally came along for everyone in the family, people were still masking, the Omicronian invasion hadn't yet happened, and a big 70th birthday party seemed possible. Mom is Nana to the grandchildren, she loves Animal Crossing, and thus, a Nana-mal Crossing Birthday just felt right. So, I began shopping and crafting. At some points, I had ideas of doing far more than what I was able to accomplish, but I think I did pretty well.
The family came together and we made a party to celebrate her that she enjoyed so much. We were so lucky to have that brief moment when we could all gather, and the memories are all the more precious now that we can't all be together.
