As medicine and science have advanced in the past few decades, more and more citizens of the modern era are able to enjoy a longer and healthier life span.
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| The giant birthday card we created for our mother's 90th birthday! |
My mom is one such person living a long and healthy life. A few weeks ago, prior to my sister's 60th birthday celebration, we had a big family gathering and celebrated her big 90th birthday in Toronto.
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| J. flew in from Calgary for Grandma's birthday party |
Our siblings started planning this big family bash more than six months ago. Party invitations were sent out in January.
Therefore, out of town family members and guests would have a lot of time to plan their travel to Toronto for the celebration.
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| E. flew in from the west coast of the U.S. |
Consequently, many of her grandchildren and their families were able to fly back from all over the North American continent and wished their grandmother happy birthday in person.
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| B. and his family flew in from Prince Edward Island |
They flew from San Francisco, Florida, Vancouver, Calgary, Ottawa, and Prince Edward Island on the day of the celebration.
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| M.. and family and kids flew in from Florida |
We certainly appreciated those grandchildren such as Ben and Patrick with their wives and young children in tow flying in from long distance for grandma's birthday!
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| There were lots happening at the birthday dinner |
Prior to the party, we created a power point with pictures capturing my mother's significant and happy moments in her life.
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| Entertaining the guests with songs |
While this slide show was being play, there were a lot of Kodak moments with my mother, her children, their families and dinner guests.
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| Many took part in the dinner program to celebrate Mom's milestone birthday |
Thanks to my sister, Rosie's meticulous planning, we had a full program for the celebratory dinner.
Many took part in the celebration!
There were a few highlights throughout the evening.
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| The Parade of Great Grandchildren was led by Joanne, the No. 1 grandchild |
My most favourite moment was the parade of the great grandchildren being ushered in by their parents.
The parade of kids was led by Joanne, Mom's first born son's first child, who led her children into the dining hall.
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| Some of Mom's great grandchildren |
Each little great grandkid was wearing a red single Chinese character on their neck and marching in to the upbeat tune of Walt Disney's It's a Small World.
They marched to the front of the dining room, stood together and form a congratulatory message in Chinese for my mother.
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| My mom and her great grandchildren! |
The kids, between two and ten years old, all looked very cute and adorable!
Everyone was excited, clapping, smiling and singing.
Later on, all the grown grandchildren joined in, each holding a special message ( written in traditional Chinese way) for grandma. It was a memorable moment and one of the highlight of the evening!
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| Jordan performing the Lion dance at |Grandma's 90th birthday dinner |
Another highlight was the Lion Dance by Jordan, one of the grandchildren who flew in from Vancouver for this special event.
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| M. assisting in her brother's Lion Dance |
Barely living in Vancouver for a few months, Jordan joined a Lion Dance Club and learned how to do some basics of a Lion Dance.
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| Mike , Jordan and Grandma |
Jordan, along with his cousin, Micheal, performed a lion dance with all the necessary paraphernalia midway during the dinner.
A Lion Dance is a symbol of good luck and celebrations in the Chinese culture.
Everyone was excited, especially the birthday gal as the Lion Dancers winded their way through the dining room!
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| A congratulatory message from PM |
Another highlight of the evening was when Jo, the first grandchild presented Mom with a congratulatory message signed personally by Justin Trudeau, the prime minster of Canada!
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| Mom is a blessed person loved by her children and descendants! |
The only child in her family, my mom always wished she had a sibling or two.
However, God is very fair, He gave my mother seven children!
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| J/ and M. manning the reception desk |
He has also blessed her with a large extended family with many wonderful grandchildren.
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| E. and J. flew in from the west coast for Grandma's birthday bash |
Among her descendants, there are engineers, doctor, lawyer, school principal, teacher, human resources, hotel and sports managers, nursing supervisor, successful business owners, city planners, physiotherapist, a Ph.D and many other professionals.
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| Mom thanking the guests |
Hannah, the mother of Samuel in the bible was childless and suffered at the beginning of her life.
Similarly, my mother was lonely when she was growing up as the only child and without a father.
Look how fortunate she is now!
At 90, she is healthy, mobile, independent and loved!
I praise God for His grace, love and mercy!
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My mother is truly a blessed woman as she is loved, surrounded and looked after by so many of her descendants!
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| Happy 90th Birthday, Mom! |
I heard on the radio that Queen Elizabeth II just celebrated her 90th birthday in Britain a few days ago.
Happy Birthday, Mom and Queen Elizabeth II! May there be a few more happy returns to come!!!
God bless, and love you both!
R.T.
Toronto
p.s. Photo Credit - Jordan Lui & Susan Lui
Thank you for many of the pictures sent to me by Jordan and Susan Lui
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