For more than 30 years, two sisters have shared a special birthday tradition.
On April 30, Hilda Jackson celebrated her 76th Birthday, and her sister Ella Beck gave her a card. This is the same card that, on April 2, Beck received for her 83rd birthday.
In fact, the very same card has changed hands for more than three decades.
The tradition started innocently enough on April 2, 1986, when Jackson sent the card to her sister. A few weeks later it landed back in Jackson’s mailbox. It was surprising for her to receive the same card, but the very next year she sent it back to her sister.
Back then Jackson was living in Rocky Mountain House and Beck was in the Hand Hills. Today both are in Drumheller and the tradition continues. Originally it was a musical card, and each year they record a new birthday greeting. Over the years the card has grown and pages have been added.
The two sisters got together on Tuesday, May 1 to celebrate Hilda’s birthday at the Diana Restaurant.
Through the years and through many moves, the card has not been lost and has remained intact.
Because their birthdays are so close together, Jackson jokes, “She (Ella) only has to hold on to the card for a month, I have to care for it for the rest of the year.”
