100 Days of Life, Thanks for Coming!

In China, it is common practice (less now I guess as traditions begin to change), that the new born celebrates 100 days of life. For a number of reasons this is commonly practiced. It is said by my wife's family that the celebration was to "lock-in" 100 years of life in the life of the new-born.

I think this is a lovely idea, but realistically speaking, I understand it as, the child survived 100 days of life after birth and is more likely to live a healthy life than the potential risks and dangers it would have normally met in the first 100 days of life.

For this celebration we had friends meet up and celebrate over a few drinks and dishes with our son at a local restaurant in Jinshitan. My Mother-in-Law was in town, as she was presenting Sam with a "gold lock" (a pendent) that essentially locks in 100 years of life. Interesting thought. I think its always fascinating to learn and observe new cultural traditions and what not as well-just really really wish my parents and family were around.

Regardless, as practiced in traditional Chinese culture, the man in particular needs to give a speech. I wrote one and it was met with some criticism, my view on the purpose of the celebration was "wrong" apparently (I still had a good time, and delivered my speech), the wife liked it, that is all I care about.

Here it is for you to observe, just another thought about "culture" and history really.

I am giving this speech today in recognition of our son’s 100^th day of life after birth. I want to start by saying that there was a time when the first 100 days of life were anxious time, not for the reason of no sleep or having to work the next day.

wǒ jīn tiān fā biǎo zhè ge yǎn jiǎng shì wèi le jì niàn wǒ men ér zi chū shēng hòu de dì 100 tiān 。

 There was a time that it was a concern of life and death.

céng jīng yǒu yí duàn shí jiān , zhè shì duì shēng sǐ de guān zhù"

This celebration was a symbol of thanks to all those who helped shelter, put food in the mouth of the child and ultimately loved the child.

zhè cì qìng zhù huó dòng shì gǎn xiè suǒ yǒu bāng zhù bì nàn 、 bǎ shí wù fàng zài hái zi zuǐ lǐ bìng zuì zhōng ài hái zi de rén de xiàng zhēng。

Times may change, but the meaning does not.

shí dài kě néng huì gǎi biàn , dàn yì yì què méi yǒu 。

If I said there wasn’t a time where Lily and I were completely certain of everything-I’d be exaggerating.

rú guǒ wǒ shuō méi yǒu shí jiān lì lì hé wǒ wán quán què dìng yí qiè -- wǒ huì kuā kuā qí sī de。

But with the help of many of you in this room, we were able to provide comfortably.

dàn zài zài zuò xǔ duō rén de bāng zhù xià , wǒ men néng gòu shū shì de tí gòng fú wù。

With advice and guidance especially from Lily’s Mother, Ren YuQi-we were able to grow as parents and as a couple.

tè bié shì lì lì de mǔ qīn de jiàn yì hé zhǐ dǎo ,-Ren YuQi, wǒ men néng gòu chéng zhǎng wéi fù mǔ hé fū qī。

Every family has its quirks, ours is named Sam. He keeps our life interesting. My parents always told me that parenthood is when children experience the mischief that their parents experienced.

měi gè jiā tíng dōu yǒu zì jǐ de guài pǐ , wǒ men de jiā tíng jiào sà mǔ。

·         My parents also tell me I was good a kid, I slept all the time. *

wǒ fù mǔ yě gào sù wǒ , wǒ shì gè hǎo hái zi , wǒ shuì dé hěn duō "

I’d personally like to mention that my family couldn’t make it here for any of this experience

wǒ gè rén xiǎng tí yí xià , wǒ de jiā rén zài zhè lǐ wú fǎ cān jiā rèn hé zhè xiē jīng lì

-for what is not just the happiest experience in my life but the most beautiful experience a family could go through.

wǒ yì shēng zhōng zuì xìng fú de jīng lì , dàn què shì yí gè jiā tíng suǒ néng yōng yǒu de zuì měi lì de jīng lì。

That is the hardest part, for me personally.

zhè duì wǒ lái shuō shì zuì kùn nan de

 I am emotionally wrecked much of the time, its hard on my family-especially my wife who listens to me complain. I would like to make a toast to her especially for not just putting up with one child, but two.

wǒ xiǎng wèi tā jìng jiǔ , tè bié shì yīn wéi tā bù zhǐ shì rěn shòu le yí gè hái zi , liǎng gè hái zi

A toast to my mother-in-law, I know we have a different understanding of what parenting looks like.

wèi wǒ de yuè mǔ gān bēi

But from the bottom of my heart-with these people as witnesses. I am thankful for you coming and being here today on this special day.

wǒ gǎn xiè nǐ jīn tiān zài zhè ge tè shū de rì zi lái dào zhè li。

You were here when it was not easy for Lily, or I.

dāng zhè duì wǒ men lái shuō bìng bù róng yì de shí hou , nǐ jiù zài zhè lǐ

You provided help, love and comfort.

nǐ tí gòng le bāng zhù 、 ài hé ān wèi。

I may not be as verbal with my gratitude as I used to be, but I guess that makes it that much more meaningful.

 wǒ kě néng méi yǒu nà me kǒu tóu de gǎn xiè. tā shǐ tā gèng yǒu yì yì。

The bold characters beneath the English is the Chinese PinYin (easier for me to read than th actual characters).

Cheers to you Sam, 100 days to 100 years.