It’s my birthday next week and I am virtual-party planning: a culmination of so many life lessons that squeezing them all into this column may be tight. But I shall try.
From a year of remote parties and working from home, I’ve learned to keep the party small to prevent overtalk; short to respect screen-time exhaustion; tight with ice-breaking activities; and to aim to do something quick, sweet and life-affirming.
Of course, some lessons can never be learned. Like starting the planning earlier. And knowing that although I say I want to do nothing – that I don’t want a fuss or for people to spend money – my mother will never let it happen.
“Don’t be selfish, your birthday is not just your day,” she says, knowing guilt works, and that I’ll enjoy it in the end. (Another lesson: Mother knows best.)
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