Monday 15 November 2021

Twenty One

My eldest son turned 21! Birthdays in our home always come with a handmade card made by mum and it doesn't seem that long ago that the pinky purple Bleeper People, from his favourite pop-up book as a small child Where, Oh Where, is Kipper's Bear?, appeared on his birthday card. Now he's in his third year of service in the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) and the themes I picked for his special card were slightly different!
This year I have shown my eldest son in his olive green army uniform, holding a certificate he recently received for a course he just completed. When he is home from the army he likes to go on tiyulim (hikes) with his friends. They recently went to Ein Prat, the biggest of three springs along the Prat Stream (Wadi Qelt), a stream that flows along the northern Judean desert, from Jerusalem to Jericho and then to the Jordan River. I have shown the spring in the background and added his pakal kafe (coffee kit), which he often takes with him. The word "pakal" is actually an acronym of the words "pkudat keva lechayal," which means "a fixed command for soldiers," that is - everything the soldier must have with him at all times. But as in many other cases, army acronyms and army slang receive other meanings outside of military life and one such example is "pakal kafe" - everything you might need in order to make coffee (or tea) outside.
Next to my son's coffee kit is an ear of wheat inside a red warning sign. The red circle with a red line through it always means NO. The picture inside the circle shows what you cannot do. My son has been trying a gluten free diet (it seems that army food does not agree with him!), so this red warning sign represents his new diet. A big yellow number 21 marks his age. Finally, I had to include the Arsenal crest on his card too. He has been a keen supporter since he was very young and funnily enough nearly always manages to Whatsapp or call home when they have played!
For the first time in several years my eldest was home for his birthday. It fell on a weekend so we were able to take him out for a nice meal and he was able to celebrate with friends. Of course there were balloons and TWO cakes! One to share with his friends and one with his family. They were both gluten free but tasted pretty good anyway!
JENerally Informed

17 comments:

Kim Carberry said...

Happy birthday to your son! They grow up so fast don't they.
What a wonderful card. The detail is fantastic. x

Louise (Little Hearts, Big Love) said...

Happy 21st birthday to your son and I love his birthday card with all the little details. How lovely that he was home for his birthday and able to celebrate with you. The cake looks delicious. #MMBC

Natasha Mairs - Serenity You said...

This is such a fab card and really looks like him!!! #MMBC

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

Happy 21St birthday to your son. He's a handsome young man and I know how proud you are. #MMBC

Tamar SB said...

That came out so great!

Ellibelle said...

Happy birthday to your son!
Love how you personalized it with all the great details!
They do grow up so quickly, my oldest recently turned 19, can hardly believe it!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Your son is a handsome young man and I know how proud you are of him. Of course he got a very special card and he deserved it, along with the celebration -- great that he got to have that special birthday at home. I was interested to read about pakal (hope I've spelled that right) and how it came to mean "everything needed." If I were young enough to hike like that, you can be sure I would need that coffee kit!!

VeggieMummy said...

Happy Birthday to your son! I would imagine that he would have something to say if he didn't get a handmade card from his mum! :O) It's gorgeous, as is the cake, and I'm glad that you got to share his special day with him. xx

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Happy birthday to your son! The birthday card you made for him is perfect and a wonderful keepsake memory of the important things in his life right now. Some members of my family eat gluten-free and feel so much better. I am always saving recipes for gluten-free recipes on my interest page.

Joanne said...

What a wonderful way to make his 21st birthday special! I hope your son had a wonderful birthday.

Fun60 said...

That's great they he was able to celebrate at home with everyone. The card is very special and one to treasure.

Emille (Jesh) said...

How great that your son could be home for his birthday! How long do people usually serve in the IDF? Was curious when I saw the pic, he so much looks like a younger Ted Cruz (a wellknown, and very vocal Republican senator here ) I can see, mom was also happy with her son being home and giving him a memorable birthday!

NCSue said...

You have a fine looking son, and your card is perfect!
Thanks for sharing at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2021/11/this-is-all-ill-say-about-that.html

Peabea Scribbles said...

21...such a milestone. Happy Birthday to your son and hope he had a great day. The card is perfect as yours usually are. He's very handsome.

Michele Morin said...

Beautiful milestone marker!

Angie said...

Joining you from Wandering Camera ... happy birthday to your son! It has been quite a while since I visited your blog - nice to see you are still making your gorgeous cards!

Soma @ inkTorrents.com said...

Your cards are always so beautiful and this one is extra special. Beautiful card with all the wonderful details. Happy Birthday to him! So wonderful that he was at home for all of you to celebrate together.

-Soma

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