Sunday 10th May 2020

My mummy Liduska, or Czech grandma as our children call her, was supposed to be with us in Sri Lanka all April and May, so she would be celebrating her 76th birthday in Asia on May the 10th.  I had almost talked her into it and was buying her an air ticket, but the Coronavirus came and it was out of the question. However I wanted to make her to feel special to be with us to celebrate her big day, but how to do it under curfew and 7,581 km or 4,711 miles away?

Hmmmmmm ?!

On her birthday on Sunday morning, I baked her favourite chocolate cake with chocolate cream, and two batches of English scones (about 40). Both turned up well in this heat. I sent a message on the WhatsApp group here at our condominium to the people who we meet by the pool regularly and share deliveries from different suppliers, explaining my plan. This was to meet by the pool at 4.30pm, whereupon I would call my mum over the internet.  We would all sing her Happy Birthday, cut her cake, and enjoy this and all the baked goodies with a cup of tea, coffee or hot chocolate afterwards.

It all turned out exactly as I had in mind. Mrs Catalina from Brazil brought Colombian chocolate for a drink, which all kids loved. Anna from France baked a lemon drizzle cake and Isabella from Portugal made an angel cake.  Mum was moved when strangers and children sang her Happy birthday and wished her well for her birthday.  Steve has it all captured on this video (opens in a new window).

I was very sorry that she wasn’t with us; she would have enjoyed it here, even during the curfew as she is a very modest woman. 

All the best mummy, especially health. This was the only solution to spend a few minutes of your birthday with you, so you are sure, that we love you so much.

My brother’s and friend Nikolka’s family were with her for lunch on Saturday and we hosted her party by the pool on Sunday – so she wasn’t alone, just not with us – but what else can you do in this challenging situation?

An unforgettable experience for us and I know it was a surreal occasion for her.

Rennie