Remembering a birthday

Last January, during the second UK lockdown, my sister-in-law could not celebrate her fiftieth birthday with family and friends, as she had hoped; just over a month later, only a few could gather to celebrate her life following her sudden, unexpected death. Today's birthday is one of many difficult days for her children and those who loved her; a few days ago my niece, J's cousin, posted on Facebook asking for lots of celebratory photos and actions to be shared on her birthday. J was quick to volunteer that we would make cakes. There may have been just a little opportunism involved: she loves making and eating cakes, and we don't live near anyone in the family who would share them. The suggestion was welcomed though, so this morning we baked raspberry and white chocolate cupcakes. They were decorated, photographed, the photo shared, and several were eaten. There was also a quiet, unplanned moment of reflection as the candles burned down before J blew them out.