Celebrating Life’s Milestones

Celebrating Life’s Milestones

Celebrating life’s milestones such as birthdays, engagements, graduations during a pandemic is strangely unfamiliar, yet the importance of it is as real as ever. What should feel like an important step forward into adulthood or the next stage in our lives, seems somewhat disengaged when you cannot celebrate with friends and family due to current state guidelines.

So, how do we recognize and celebrate turning 16, 21, or a recent engagement? Well, first we must recognize that every day is a gift and there are still creative ways to stay engaged and celebrate! For those of you that have mastered Zoom, planning a surprise remote gathering to celebrate is an option. Then there is always drive by celebrations, or even the delivery of balloons, confetti, flowers, wine, or other fun items (so many items can be delivered now a days). What will create those lasting memories for those being celebrated? Thoughtful recognitions and your time and energy to recognize them is what will be remembered.

I challenge you to find a way to create those memories for the milestone, whether it be a 16th birthday or an engagement! For me, I will be getting up early tomorrow morning to decorate outside my daughter’s bedroom, having 16 helium balloons filled, a custom doughnut made for her… and of course, writing a thoughtful sentiment to celebrate her 16th birthday.

I also encourage you to send along your sentiments for my fellow Senior Program Manager, Sarah Meierhoefer, who recently got engaged to her boyfriend, Robert!

Let’s make 2020 the year that we create meaningful memories for these milestones even in the face of this pandemic!

Author: Shannon Hazard, Senior Program Manager, and mom to Jordyn (16 years old today), Keira (14), and Devyn (12)