By Beverly Reese
Salmon Arm, BC
It was the big year, the 79’er year. The invitations were just about to be sent out. We had the karaoke and the singers lined up. The hall was on hold and the food plans in place. Family and friends would come from far and wide. Oh Yeah! Summer in Salmon Arm, 2020, it would all happen!
A 79’er is a person who has lived past 79 years but age wise stays at 79. This was my first year at being a 79’er and although my big hoedown was in the summer my actual birthday is March 07.
Garrity, my daughter had just arrived from White Rock BC, March 06 2020, to celebrate my actual birthday, with a few family members. She had huge white balloons carousing on the floor. The kitchen table was laden with a variegated white rose plant. Its petals were tinged with crimson that said, “hoedown!” There were presents galore but my biggest gift was having my girl home.
On Mar 07, my birthday, we headed to The Pie Company, my favorite restaurant with its busy atmosphere, homemade food and homey feel. They also make the best chocolate cake, laced with coffee and real chicken pot pies.
Up until this time we heard small talk of a Corona Virus in Wuhan, China. It was the next few days the whole world started to topple.
My 79’er party crashed with it. However, the hoedown my daughter had for me on the actual day, I’ll never forget. There we were all squished around 2 large tables eating chicken-pot pies and we ordered the whole chocolate cake. People were coming and going, food smells in the air, the atmosphere was buzzing. It was my 79’er hoedown in the midst of Covid-19.
The 79’er Hoedown in the year of Covid-19,
Copyright © Beverly Reese, 2020
HAPPY 79’er Beverly!