Happy 90th.

 Nay is 90

In the last several months, when I say Nay is turning 90 this year, I am awed by that. I needed to be here to witness this milestone. In truth, I am just beginning to understand what it means to live to be 64 (and I am turning 65 soon haha!) and yet Nay is 90!  Nine full decades, a very full and successful life.  She is to this day keeping up with the world still, ordering her food and supplies online, doing her banking online, communicating with family and friends on different platforms and being active on social media, etc etc.  And she still drives and if weather permits, she walks most days albeit slowly but surely.

And what she has gone through for nine decades puts my life to shame – imagine living through a world war, raising children (us siblings and some cousins here and there, and some of our friends here and there), and studying to be a lawyer while doing all that. She boldly made a life changing move midlife and became a lawyer in the US as well. She has been through headaches and heartaches aplenty and yet she still stands strong.  She was known to be smart and intelligent as a student and was always at the top of her class and now she is not just brilliant, she is also wise.  Nine decades does that to you, right?  I searched the bible (as I am wont to do these days) and it brought me to Job 12:12 – “Is not wisdom found among the aged?  Does not long life bring understanding?”

What is wisdom anyway?  And that question led me to Proverbs 4:5-11

5 Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them.

6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.

7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom.  Though it cost all you have, get understanding.

8 Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you.

9 She will give you a garland to grace your head and present you with a glorious crown

10 Listen my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many.

11 I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.

This must have been what Nay did.  She has always been choosing the straight paths, though it has not been easy especially since she was in a position where there was always temptation to stray and pursue other things.  We could have lived a different life had she not followed God’s instruction.

Thank you Nay, for living the life you did and giving us all that we need to pursue the straight path.  Not easy but we may live to be 90 as well and be full of wisdom and understanding too. 

At the very least, you have raised obedient children.  And we will celebrate your birthday in the simplest manner you have wished – no birthday party, just time with family.  Just the way we normally celebrated birthdays when we were kids and how we are celebrating birthdays now with the kids here in the US – just dinner but with birthday cakes. Your wish is our command, Nay.  

Happy 90th birthday po.  We all love you dearly.