After he was born the Reverend James Hoover paid a visit to my grandfather and had apparently entered into his diary this comment, " 1910, the old contractor (my great grandfather) had a grandson, a lovely and fair, plump baby. " My grandmother , a good translator for the Hoovers, was to give birth to four more boys, and five girls before she passed away in 1926.
After my grandmother passed away my grandfather married twice more to help him manage his huge household.
Traditionally the Foochows value birthdays which are big milestones. Siblings must remember each others' 50th, 60th and 70th birthdays. Daughters and sons in law must remember the in laws' 60th and 70th.
My father had 6 brothers and 13 sisters, and his siblings made a big effort to celebrate his first BIG 0. They were not to know that it would be his last Big O. My father did not see his 60th.
For his 50th birthday (May, 1960), his sisters (those living in Sibu) came to the house and roasted a huge chicken for him. They made mashed potatoes, salad and a lot of hard boiled eggs. My mother also prepared some longevity noodles to mark the occasion in the traditional way. However there was no birthday cake.
That was the first time we saw a western dinner in the house, with table cloth,western cutlery and all. We kids peeped from behind the door while the aunts, uncles and my father had their dinner, all speaking in English.
His sisters hand sewed the green table cloth with French stitches for him. It was such a nice gesture. My father really appreciated the special gift.
His brothers who were living in Sibu came together and bought a Sibu made table for him. They might have also asked the furniture maker to make the table with their specifications. The table was for 8 persons, western style.
We kept the table cloth until now. While the table was given away when my mother moved to Kuching, more than 40 years later. It was a pity we could not bring the table to Kuching.
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