Home » Poems » Tom Cunningham » My cousin Marion's 70th birthday party

Notes About The Poem

On Saturday the 8th August I went to my cousin Marion's 70th birthday party, her daughter Becky had asked me to compose a poem to mark the event but I knew it was coming and had already made a start, I didn't get off lightly though and she asked me to read it out. It was a memorable day and the sun was shining.

It was 70's themed and many of us dressed up for the occasion

It was lovely to catch up with cousins and old friends, some I hadn't seen for years.

Listen to poem:

My cousin Marion's 70th birthday party

Today is the eighth of August and it’s a very special day
Family and friends are here to celebrate Marion's birthday 
She's a loving mother to her children and grandchildren too
Gardening and reading books are what she loves to do.

And there are many celebrities sharing Marion's birth year
Danny Boyle, Ravi Shanker, Tom Hanks, and Carrie Fisher 
Andy Garcia ,Sue Barker, Theresa May, and Bryan Cranston
Along with La Toya Jackson, Sebastian Coe, and Mel Gibson.

In that year, some musical events made the headline news 
Elvis sang “Heartbreak Hotel”, Guy Mitchell "Singing The Blues"
“Roll Over Beethoven” was a hit for the legendary Chuck Berry
Little Richard came on the scene with his hit “Long Tall Sally”.

Johnny Cash’s “I walk The Line”, "Que Sera Sera" by Doris Day
It was the start of the Rock 'n' Roll era that was here to stay 
Other news was Prince Rainer 111 married actress Grace Kelly
It was the first ever royal wedding that was broadcast on telly.

Lugano in Switzerland held the first Eurovision song contest
Swiss singer lys Assiaslloll "Refrain" won, it was voted the best
The clean air act was introduced to combat industrial smog
No more walking about getting lost in that thick 'pea super' fog.

A polio epidemic erupted in Ireland and Cork was badly affected
Up and down the country it raged young and old were infected. 
The first ever working video recorder was introduced by Amplex
It had a state- of- the -art recording system called Quadruplex.

Queen Elizabeth 11 opened Calder Hall at Sellafield in Cumbria 
The first commercial power station that was powered by nuclear
General Electric introduced the world's first "Snooze Alarm" clock
An extra ten minutes in bed diminished the 'rise and shine' shock 

But the eighth of August was one of the most notable events
Teresa and Luke welcomed Marion and became proud parents
Years later Bernadette and Luke were born adding to the family 
Now they're all proud parents themselves and living life happily.

Happy occasions become fond memories and with you they stay 
You'll reflect on them often and like a movie in your mind play
Celebrating with your family and friends makes it a perfect day
So, enjoy and make some memories on Marion's special birthday.

birthdaycelebrationhappy birthdaypeoplerhyme

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Ink Empress

August 21, 2026 at 11:09 AM

Dear Tom, How lucky is your cousin to receive this beautiful poem, ode, heartfelt wish on her birthday, celebrating all that she is. We as readers get an insight of what a wonderful person, she is! This made my heart warm, such family relations, are precious and rare! I llve how you mentioned so many names etc and made her feel special. And dressing up sounds fun! I love the flow and the way your lines are arranged in such a profound manner! You rhyme so well! Happy belated birthday! Pleasure reading Sending you and your beloved cousin light always 💫 🌙

Tom Cunningham

August 21, 2026 at 12:02 PM

Thank you very much IE, it was a lovely celebration and the weather was perfect on the day, It was lovely to see old friends I hadn't seen in years. They'd hired a singer for the occasion so when she had a break I had my moment of fame reading out the poem. My cousin loved it and I even created a song using my words. I'm traveling again but will look in when I can, have a lovely weekend. Tom🌹

Tania Kitchin

August 11, 2026 at 4:48 PM

Tom, a sweet and special poem for your cousin Marion. I love your wig too, Haha. I bet she loved it too.

Tom Cunningham

August 11, 2026 at 9:30 PM

Thank you very much Tania, it's only when I spoke that folks knew who I was. Towards the end it was getting quite warm and it was a relief to take it off. Tom🌹

Lin Lane

August 11, 2026 at 10:45 AM

That’s a very special poem written and recited at the party by a very special member of your family… YOU! Well done, Tom!

Lin Lane

August 11, 2026 at 11:49 AM

Ha ha Tom. Once I got past that shirt I knew it was you.

Tom Cunningham

August 11, 2026 at 11:04 AM

Thank you very much Lin, it was an honour to be asked to recite it. It was certainly a memorable day, I delayed my trip as no way was I missing it. Did you recognise me in the pic lol. Long time since I had a headful of hair lol. Tom🌹

Laurentine G

August 11, 2026 at 9:42 AM

Well that would be quite a mouthful! I did click on the audio hoping for some Brummie though 😅 excellent composition 😊

Tom Cunningham

August 11, 2026 at 10:56 AM

Lol,I take no credit for the song LG, only the words, left brum over 30 years ago, still got the accent. Greetings from Turkey 🇹🇷. Tom

Lisa Brown

August 11, 2026 at 9:19 AM

Loved this poem! A BIG fave from me 😍

Tom Cunningham

August 11, 2026 at 9:31 AM

Thank you Lisa, I'm happy that you enjoyed it. It was a great day. Weather was perfect on the day. Thanks too for the fave. Hope your week is going well. Greetings from Turkey 🇹🇷. I'm traveling at the moment. Tom

Daniel Henry Rodgers

August 11, 2026 at 7:16 AM

Hell Tom, I just turned 70 back in June. I loved how the list of names and events turns the birthday into a small cultural map. It’s warm without being sentimental, and it keeps the focus where it belongs, on the life being honored. Happy Birthday Marion, Blessings, Daniel

Tom Cunningham

August 11, 2026 at 7:41 AM

Thank you very much Daniel, , I printed it on parchment paper with a matching frame, she loved it. I didn't escape as I had to read it out but managed it okay. It was a lovely celebration and it was great to meet old friends. I hit the big 70 back in feb, thankfully still here. I'm travelling as the next day we headed to Turkey 🇹🇷. ✈️ Hope your week is going well. Tom

Alison A Smith

August 11, 2026 at 3:09 AM

Looks like a lot of fun was had. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Marion.🥳💐🎂🎉🎁👗🎶📰

Tom Cunningham

August 11, 2026 at 3:56 AM

Thank you Alison, it was a lovely celebration, the weather was perfect. It was lovely to meet up with family and friends, greetings from Turkey 🇹🇷.hope your week is going well. Tom🌹

Anne-Lise Andresen

August 11, 2026 at 1:52 AM

- A big day celebrated with family and friends... a day to create many memories... turning 70 is a milestone that deserves a special celebration... sharing the moment with the people who matter to you... a wonderful poem, Tom :) - hugs

Tom Cunningham

August 11, 2026 at 2:43 AM

Thank you very much Anne-Lise, it was a memorable day, she loved the poem . I printed it on parchment paper and framed it, a momento of the day. Greetings from Turkey,🇹🇷 I'm on the beach writing this, 😎wifi is naff, 3rd attempt at writing a response. Lol. Hope your week is going well. Tom🌹

Hiya Sharma

August 11, 2026 at 1:44 AM

Awwwn what a sweet and beautiful gift you've given your cousin! How adorable is this! So gorgeous ~ so many major things happened that year when Marion was born but the best was that she was welcomed in your family, very heartwarming. Pleasure reading this! Wishing her a wonderful 70th birthday! Sending you light and best wishes always ✨🌹💫🌹✨

Tom Cunningham

August 11, 2026 at 2:25 AM

Thank you very much Hiya, on birthday cards you sometimes see events that happened on the birth year so went with that theme. I managed to read it out without getting tongue tied lol. Greetings from Turkey 🇹🇷 . Im sat on the beach writing this. Hope your week is going well. Tom🌹