December 31, 2020. Madison, Mississippi. Anniversaries.

In 1953, in October, Irene Chalk and David Buckley were married in Vancouver, Brithish Columbia. I attended that wedding. I also was present on their anniversary celebration for their 60th anniversary, held on a cruise ship. The week long journey was a spectacular success. In attendance were all the children, grandchildren and sibling along with their spouses. I have no idea who dreamed up the idea but it certainly was a hit. The timing was perfect. The grandchildren were all either at University or graduate school. Everyone else who were employed were able to take the week of vacation after Christmas. Dave and Irene footed the whole bill. They booked a suite, so every evening all 18 of us met for a cocktail hour in their suite where we shared our daily activities. Then we ate dinner together at two long tables where we switched chairs each night. One especially dramatic event was at the first cocktail party, when grandson Brendan and wife announced to all that Marnie was going to have a baby. It was exciting. Norman just posted pictures of the celebration on Facebook. Or maybe it was Wendy. I was delighted to be reminded of the wonderful anniversary that we all shared in 2003. It was a happy event. Now we get ready to leap into 2021. We have all survived and thrived during 2020. Remembering past joyful events reminds us that more such events are coming, but perhaps not on a cruise ship!!