Mom got a surprise present in the mail yesterday. It was from the Buddhist temple that she belongs to. Granted she only goes for special ceremonies or holidays, but she does pay a membership.
The mailings she gets from the temple are in English so she often doesn't understand or doesn't even bother to read what they're informing her.
It was a surprise to realize she'd missed a New Year party where those seniors who were celebrating their 88th year in 2017 were being honored.
I got this wonderful explanation from the blog, Good and Bad Japan.
"I never thought I'd live to be 88! Thank you. I've been very lucky. And now I've got my third great grandchild about to be born," Mom smiled cheerfully.
We heard her laughing on the way to her room to take a happy nap.
POSTSCRIPT:
In answer to many of the comments, much as I would love to have another grandchild, this will be my first grandniece. She will be born in April and needless to say we are all excited about it.
The mailings she gets from the temple are in English so she often doesn't understand or doesn't even bother to read what they're informing her.
It was a surprise to realize she'd missed a New Year party where those seniors who were celebrating their 88th year in 2017 were being honored.
I got this wonderful explanation from the blog, Good and Bad Japan.
"...the 88th birthday is one of the big ones in Japan and the family felt a celebration was appropriate. It is called beiju in Japanese and seems to be celebrated because the kanji characters for 88 (八十八) can be superimposed onto each other to make the kanji character for rice (米). This character can have the pronunciation bei, and rice, apparently, is quite fortuitous." (Mom says this is absolutely correct.)
"I never thought I'd live to be 88! Thank you. I've been very lucky. And now I've got my third great grandchild about to be born," Mom smiled cheerfully.
We heard her laughing on the way to her room to take a happy nap.
POSTSCRIPT:
In answer to many of the comments, much as I would love to have another grandchild, this will be my first grandniece. She will be born in April and needless to say we are all excited about it.
Your mom is so sweet. And does that mean you are going to have another grandchild?
ReplyDeleteI have grown to love your mom as I am sure many of your readers have. If only I can be as clever and spy at 88. Meanwhile, I too am curious about the "third" great grandchild comment.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations and many happy returns of the day to a wonderful woman! :-)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations and happiness to your Mom and also to all of you on the coming of another great grandchild or grandchild. Two wonderful events for this year.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless that dear lady!
ReplyDeleteWhat a precious jewel your mother is. YOu are very fortunate.
ReplyDeleteSounds like it's going to be a prosperous year for your mother. So, tell us, who is having the next grandchild?
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely surprise. (Can she attend next year's celebration?) So happy that she made it to 88 and is still vibrant. Wonder if she knew about the Beiju tradition but was being modest. Thank her for sharing her adventures with us.
ReplyDeleteSo, which person is having the next baby?!
Linda in Kansas
Sorry she missed it....what a lovely celebration tho.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to your mom you are all blessed!
ReplyDeleteyes, you are all blessed.
ReplyDeletejust turned 82 and the arthritis is almost crippling me but love my country home.
my son arriving from Thailand next week, so happy.
he loves that country and much he shares with me, words, poems, encouragment is like your mom has a membership too....
So nice!
ReplyDeleteSmile. Just smile.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to your mom. Was this also a way to sneak in about another grandchild for you and Art?
ReplyDeleteCongratulation all around.
ReplyDeletecongratulations, of course!
ReplyDeleteIs your mom from Japan? BB
ReplyDeleteShe was born on Molokai but grew up in Japan and North Korea. My grandfather was a zen missionary priest.
Deleteso which of your children is having another child? So fun...
ReplyDeleteI'll have to remember this when I turn 88!
ReplyDeleteShe sure makes 88 look good. Your Mom is such a treasure. Thank you for sharing her with us.
ReplyDeleteHow nice!
ReplyDeleteI was curious if it had to do with rice, I remember the word Bei as I live in "rice country".
ReplyDeleteThis was so wonderful to read!!
ReplyDeleteCongrats to "Mom", but I picked up something else. A third great grandchild? Your family or your brother's?
ReplyDeleteShe will be my first grandniece. I don't know what to call her.
DeleteComment from my cousin:
ReplyDeleteAunty was raised in Japan AND North Korea?!?! Interesting. And a belated happy birthday to a sweet, beautiful woman! Love, Holly
Congrats!!!!
ReplyDeleteSo many traditions in other cultures and religions it's interesting to learn about. Congrats to your Mom on her 88th!
ReplyDelete