My Father Celebrates his 80th Birthday!

On 31 July 2007, my father turned 80! My parents celebrated with an afternoon tea party for family and friends, which they hosted on Sunday 5 August at their home in Sea Point, Cape Town. Unfortunately, neither my brother Avi (who lives in Melbourne, Australia) or I were able to attend the party, which is a great pity. However, my parents had happily visited both of us earlier this year - in January/February they came to visit us in Israel to celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary, and in June they visited my brother and sister-in-law to celebrate their youngest son's barmitzvah.

In the photo above, my parents, Hetty and Jack Berman, are pictured at the party with the lovely flowers (thanks to http://www.netflorist.co.za/!) we sent them in the background.

Following is the greeting that I wrote for my Mom to read out at the Party:

To our Dearest Dad and Saba Jack,
We’re writing to wish you a Happy Birthday and to give you a big pat on the back!
We’re so sorry we can’t join you on this most auspicious occasion,
But we’re rather busy here in Jerusalem, raising the next generation!
Just yesterday you were teaching me to ride a bicycle on the Beachfront,
And helping me master the gear-shift on the Peugot 404 without getting a bump!
I fondly remember climbing Table Mountain with Avi and you,
Even though walking along the Pipe Track was more my kind of view!
The years have passed so quickly but happily you’ve always been busy,
Working hard, gardening, H.O.D., running and gym, and of course working Mom into a tizzy!
You have achieved so much in your quiet and honest way,
That your children and grandchildren can only hope and pray
That the years to come will bring continued Good Health, Joy and Happiness,
To you, and Mom, our dear parents and grandparents as one!
Ayelet Chen, Atara Sara and Yehudit
Are joined by their parents Rebecca and David,
In wishing you a Very Happy Birthday and Many Many More —
We’re looking forward to celebrate your 81st on our very own shores!
All our Love, Hugs & Kisses, David & Rebecca, Ayelet Chen, Atara Sara & Yehudit - Jerusalem

For the uninitiated,

• The Beachfront is the lovely promenade that runs along a stretch of the Atlantic Ocean in Sea Point, Cape Town.
• Table Mountain is the majestic mountain located in the middle of Cape Town. It is over 1,000 metres high, and the level plateau is approximately 3 kilometres from one end to the other. Besides serving as a wonderful backdrop to the beautiful city of Cape Town, it offers the intrepid hiker many options for mountain climbing and also has the world's longest single-cable cablecar in the world!
• the Pipe Track runs along the foot of Table Mountain and contains very large pipes that were laid to carry water. It is the easiest, and possibly most popular, walk on Table Mountain.
• H.O.D. stands for the Hebrew Order of David, the Jewish lodge to which my father belonged.

We wish my Dad many more years of Health and Happiness, and look forward to seeing him and my Mom some time really soon!