The Celebrations Begin

Yesterday afternoon I visited Merv's sister, Vicki at her care facility.  I was on yet another mission.  I couldn't let Australia Day come and go without making her laugh and giggle with a little Australia Day paraphernalia in hand.  Every year on January 26th we celebrate Australia Day and we do it with style, at least that's our intention!
Since our marriage in 1976 we have celebrated with traditional BBQs both under the patio and in a variety of parks, beaches and bushland.  We have celebrated with all day picnics in the outback complete with sunhats, sunscreen and an esky of cold beer and wine.  We have entertained family and friends with home cooked lunches complete with pavlovas and Australian shaped desserts.  Lastly there have been umpteen afternoons finding the perfect place to sit on the Perth foreshore or Kings Park to enjoy and marvel at the annual fireworks at 8pm.  Each year the darkness of night explodes in a multitude of sparkling colours and shapes.  Families and friends congregate together and sit in awe for the whole 30 minutes of the Sky Show. It is a truly magnificent sight to behold.
I had bought Vicki a bag of ten small Australian flags on straw sticks to share with the other residents in the house.  The giggle bit is a rather large star strung on a lanyard, battery operated which flashes red, white and blue.  The star does the same!  I slipped it over Vicki's head and it flashed in the darkened room.  The support workers walking by stopped and smiled.  They took time out to chat and make jokes with Vicki about her flashing necklace.  It created fun and conversation.  My job was done.