Celebrating a 70th during COVID-19 times? No sweat for Mary & co!
WITH social distancing and ‘cocooning’ very much an established part of daily lives by now, the question of how one Castleisland family were going to celebrate a milestone birthday was always going to be a little trickier than normal.
The big occasion? Well, it was the turn of Mary Begley from Castleisland to celebrate her 70th birthday last Friday afternoon, April 17 and, thanks to her family, what could have been a quiet and muted day, it turned into one that will certainly stand out amongst them all as one of the most different.
“We were worried that it would be a very lonesome and sad day because obviously herself and Dad are cocooning during these COVID-19 times so we tried to think of ways to mark the occasion while observing the restrictions in place,” said Mary’s daughter Breda McGaley in a message to The Kerryman about the big day.
“We decided to ask some family and friends to make little birthday greeting videos and send them to us before Friday or to text, ring or email her on the day,” she continued.
“Then on Friday each of her children, grandchildren and great grandchild took turns to make a socially distant visit to wish her a happy birthday.
“She was inundated with birthday greetings and good wishes throughout the day! She said the day flew by she was kept so busy on the phone! Later in the evening we did a video call to her and sent her all the video messages in an email during this call. To say she was surprised is an understatement!”
As if messages from family and friends weren’t enough, Mary was also treated to a special birthday message from one of her favourite singers.
“She loved watching all the familiar faces and fabulous messages and we even got one from one of her favourite singers Seán Keane! What a gentleman! And I must thank his manager John Broderick for helping us out,” Breda finished.