Celebrating birthdays during COVID-time calls for some ingenuity. Special friends of Sister Eileen Foran arrived, flowers in hand, at our residence with a novel idea for her 95th birthday. “We can’t get in to visit Sister, so we’ll serenade her under the balcony.” The always spry celebrant stepped out into the fresh air at 2:00 p.m. She was delighted and happy, coat clutched against the light wind. A group of Sisters joined the partyers on the ground below and all sang a rousing, “Happy Birthday” to a wonderful woman who has been a Sister of St. Joseph for over 70 years.
Sr. Eileen’s smile was as bright as the spring sunshine as she waved joyfully to us and received our best wishes with her hallmark joy and effervescence. The message on one of her birthday cards sums up the beauty of our young at heart ninety-five-year-old: Ninety- five years look terrific on you! You don’t seem a day past “amazing.” You light up a room with your wonderful smile. You’ve made “young at heart” your own wonderful style. So, no holding back, let the big day arrive – and wish on each candle – yes, all 95!”
Blessings on you, our wonderful Sister and companion.
-Sister Jean Moylan, csj