Jane’s 90th

Jane is about to have her 90^th birthday and the celebrations are going on with a wonderful non-stop series of glorious events. Our 4 kids and most of their spouses and almost all our grandchildren have arrived from New Hampshire, Connecticut and Northern California. Thanks to Air Bnb and other options they have places all up and down our near-by coast-with fabulous views of the ocean and wonderful spaces for parties.

It started on Friday with a big shindig at one of the beautiful rented places. There was champaign, wine, special margaritas and homemade ice cream. There were balloons, and signs and streamers and tables of great food. Saturday dinner was here at La Costa Glen in a special room decorated with unique place cards featuring photos of Jane. A large bouquet of roses (sent by friends of daughter Liz) added fragrance. The local kitchen staff outdid themselves with shrimp cocktails, sole, chicken, gluten-free pasta, etc. etc. But the high light was not the food but the program. Toasts were raised by young and old, children, grandchildren and in-laws. They were loaded with stories of praise for Jane’s incredible persistence, love, care and acceptance.

The memories recalled times when they were young or when they gave birth or when they had appendixes removed or when they just needed a caring, listening ear. Special note was made of Jane’s health issues including bad hay fever, asthma, both hips and both knees replaced, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, cerebral aneurysm (flying from Hong Kong to San Antonio in a virtual coma), all lower teeth removed while she was still in her thirties and significant hearing loss.

Days in Hong Kong were recalled, times of learning a new language, of keeping kids in clean clothes when there was running water for only three hours every fourth day. While there she had a couple miscarriages and brought forth 4 children even if she had to wake up the night watchman to let her into the hospital and walk up four flights of stairs to get to the birthing area where the doctor arrived after the baby did. In the midst of all that she taught piano, sang in choirs, helped produce thousands of Sunday School leaflets (in Chinese) every week, and was an officer in the American Women’s Society of Hong Kong.

There were stories of trans-Pacific plane rides with failing engines, of ferry rides to Macau, of giving missionary talks in 17 states. Also good times in Hawaii, hay fever filled days in the Alps, secret support of gays and lesbians in Finland, visiting with “adopted” daughter in Sweden, and grandkids in Taiwan. Spain, and England, finding roots in Germany, falling three times on wet slick floors in Cancun and enjoying ocean views in Baja California.

In the midst if all this, Jane made time for artistic expression. Now her piano playing is no longer suitable for concerts solos. Her arm strength limits her wood carving. Her favorite art teacher has died, but she continues to weave, crochet, sew, tat, bake wonderful cookies, learn new computer programs and tend to the plants on our balcony,

All of this was reflected in two most unusual documents. Liz had asked nine family members to each interview Jane and then write a summary of her life during one of her nine decades. Then she put all this (and more) together in a wonderful document. Then to top off all of this, these events were recalled in a marvelous l0 stanza ballad complete with a repeated chorus composed by Tim, Wendy and Haven. Still it didn’t stop. We filled a long pew at a Sunday morning 8:00 ‘o’clock service at Calvary Lutheran, joined the pastor in prayers of thanks and then shared a marvelous big Happy 90^t Birthday cake with the congregation.

As I write this it is still going on. The four kids (regretfully, yet thankfully, remembering David, now at eternal peace) decided to have a sib-fest with just the 4 of them. So they are enjoying their sea- side villa, going scuba diving, visiting San Diego and coming to our place for end of the day cake, ice cream and cognac.

Soon this will be over. Yet it will never be over. The Memories will last. The gratitude for Jane will forever be remembered before our Heavenly Parent whom we acknowledge to be the giver of this and every wonderful gift, especially this marvelous human being: Jane.