This May marked the 90th birthday of CCC client Norma. Norma’s entire family wanted to recognize her for being a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother—an amazing woman “who would give you the shirt off her back.”But they needed to find a physically distant way to celebrate.

So, Norma’s daughter planned a surprise with the whole family. On the big day, Norma was invited to walk downstairs, where she saw a group of people spaced out on the lawn. It was the extended family, wearing masks and holding birthday signs for “Gigi,” or Grandma.

From a bench in the sunshine, Norma enjoyed her celebration. Her day was filled with cards, cupcakes, and the “Happy Birthday” song. A Zoom call looped in relatives from Massachusetts and Florida. She later said, “I couldn’t sleep! I just kept thinking about the whole day.”

Norma’s CCC Care Manager Amelia said, “I have never, ever heard my client so happy; she was absolutely gushing and was so tickled that her family and the other tenants would make such a happy fuss over her.”

As a final note, at 11:45 p.m. on that very same day, Norma was presented with another gift—a great-granddaughter.