Birthday Extravaganza

My grandmother's 100th birthday celebration is the reason we braved this very cold, damp, gray winter weather to descend into Shanghai. Even though she was born in November 1920, family tradition, great grandchildren school schedules, and China public holidays all dictated the date of party to be 12/31/2018. Old people can be anxious for birthday parties too.

Even though my paternal grandmother was actually older than this grandmother when she died, she was pretty much out of it in the end. This grandmother, on the other hand, still has much of her mental and physical health. even though she is obese, does not believe in exercise, is not a fan of food therapy, and comes from a family of only average longevity/health. She seems a statistical anomaly to us.

John adds: The Celebration was well attended with relatives from both Sun-Lings maternal and paternal sides, Grandmother's former students (she was a teacher), Sun-Ling's mother's university colleagues, in-laws, neighbors, and more.

New Year's Eve morning we wake up to a dusting of snow on the rooftops outside our Airbnb apartment in the Luwan District of Shanghai.


The Celebration Banquet.




Sun-Ling speaks of Grandmother's long life.


Grandmother cuts the cake with help from Sun-Ling's mother.


Sun-Ling, brother, sister and 2nd Cousins.