skypartee

All of us gathered around the table on this particular morning have been friends for many years ... from back in the days when our children were young. As the years went by and the children left our nests, we started gathering to celebrate our birthdays, mostly with tea or lunch in our homes. We've missed our friend who moved to Germany, though we often Skype with her for our book clubs.

I had the idea to give her a virtual birthday party. Why not? We gathered for tea as we always do, and she "sat" at the head of the table. I had asked her husband to be sure she was there, and at least the birthday part of it was a surprise.

It worked so well. We almost forgot B. wasn't really right at the table with us.

 These pictures look like we are having a "working tea," 

with papers and books spread around. Well indeed we were, of sorts. 

For we each brought a "virtual" gift to give her.

And words to share to encourage her.

I "gave" her a children's book for her to read to her grandchildren when she skypes with them. 

For when I visited her this summer, I was so taken by a chest in her living room where she has

toys for her little granddaughters and takes them out "to play" when they Skype. 

She even showed us where she has little mice hiding 

around her house that her grands look for when they "visit."

After we finished the gifts she took us on a tour of their flat. I was a little nervous 

when she held her computer outside the window to show us the busy street. 

As icing on the non-existent cake, we enjoyed blueberry tea and jam fresh 

from Lydia Grace's trip to visit lighthouses in Maine and thereabouts. 

A fine morning indeed!