My first birthday was the only birthday I had with my mother

Baby Prince George is one today.  And what a terrific day it is.  The lovely little boy is showing signs of being perfectly normal, walking, talking and tantruming just like a normal little boy should.  But do you remember back to first birthdays of yesteryear?  When children didn’t receive an overly-commercial pile of plastic heaven?  Do you remember when every pair of overalls and little duck was enigmatically received?   

When we asked our writers community how they looked upon the first birthday’s in their family we were honoured when Vivienne offered to share this letter her mother wrote about hers, right back in 1947.    The letter will take you back to a very special time, and is very close to Vivienne’s heart.

Vivienne’s Mother died three weeks after her first birthday.  It was to be the only birthday she had with her mother.  To have a letter from just three weeks before which gives such a personal view into how loved she was, and how special the moment was to her mother is so beautiful.  The letter also gives us a feeling about the eloquence of the era and the simplicity, along with the language and the feelings she had as a mother on this special day.

I hope it brings back memories of this time for you, and that you’ll share your thoughts and memories with us and with Vivienne today.

Before you read it, I want to draw a picture of what little Prince George will be doing today… The dashing young Prince, according to media reports, is having a party held in his honour at Kensington Palace and just like in Viveinne’s letter from 1947, the aunties, uncle and grandparents! will all be there.  His Grandmother, the Queen, Uncle Harry and the Middletons are all planning to visit on the day along with his godparents.  The young lad has been showered in gifts by the public already including blankets and Aston Villa items, the favoured footy team of his father.  And the little Prince is expected to be lavished by his loved ones on this special day tomorrow.  He has apparently grown his first two teeth already, before his birthday and has excited the world with his first steps just two days ago (right on time)!

And so, I ask you to enjoy this letter, and compare today with the beauty and simplicity of a first birthday held in yesteryear by a mother who died not long after.