A Birthday for Halo
Photo by Wout Vanacker on Unsplash
The daughter of one of my best friends just turned seven. Her name is Halo, which is perfect because she has the face of an angel. She is a sweet, smart, good-natured child. Little Halo, like so many children, was unable to have a typical birthday party due to the government-mandated stay at home order. Her parents decided to live stream their small family-of-three birthday party via Facebook.
Over 100 friends and family members tuned in to watch this precious little first grader celebrate her special day. Over 100 comments popped up on the live feed and Halo’s mom read them to her and Halo responded to them as she wiggled with excitement.
She opened her gifts and we all heard her squeals of joy and saw her eyes light up with delight. We sang happy birthday to Halo and saw her blow out the candles on the sparkly pink birthday cake her mom made for her. We watched in surprise as it was cut open to reveal chocolate Twinkies inside. For just a brief moment of time, we all were caught up in the magic and wonder of turning seven years old.
Halo may not have had her friends over in person to play Pin the Tail on the Donkey or Musical Chairs and there may not have been guests to give out themed goodie bags to, but she’s old enough to know people were there for her, even though they couldn’t be there in person. She knows that she’s important to people and that she’s valued. She knows she is loved.
I believe that this birthday party will someday be a great memory for Halo, even though it’s not the birthday party she would have chosen for herself.
There are all kinds of ways that parents are being creative in celebrating their children’s birthdays amid the pandemic, and it warms my heart to see it. I’ve seen news stories of neighbors standing in their yards to sing Happy Birthday, parades of cars with Happy Birthday signs driving by the birthday person’s house, and most recently, a father in the UK making a McDonald’s drive-thru in his home to give his four-year-old the Happy Meal he wanted for his birthday.
It’s reassuring to see how traditions like birthday parties are being adapted with creativity and love during this time of crisis. Celebrating life is more important than ever.
Writer: Lisa Kidwell
Lisa Kidwell is a freelance writer, Goodwill fashionista, and the detail-oriented whiz behind Precisely Write Transcription & Administrative Services.