99 in Melbourne

Leaving Perth, I was heading to Melbourne to see the rest of the old Africa family and most importantly to celebrate my grandmother Omi's 99th birthday. Arriving at the airport I was greeted by my Aunt Ruth, Uncle Peter, and cousin Dylan. It was great to see everyone again and good to see that not much had changed since the last time I was here (Dylan is still a little monster). We headed off to Ruth's new house where I would be staying while there. At the house, the rest of the family was there for a dinner to celebrate my arrival. My cousin Bev and Ryan were there with their three children Jenna, Chad and Dylan. Most importantly, Omi was there. It was a wonderful evening of my telling stories about my trip to Africa.

That week I spent quite a bit of time with the family. I would go and visit Omi every day talking with her and telling her everything that I have been up to and plan on doing. In the afternoons I was able to go to Bev's house and play with the kids. They are great, we played lots of games and I taught them how to play the slapping game. They took to it and the next week was spent slapping each other's hands until they were nice and red.

February 14 arrived and it was the big day as Omi turned 99. For a 99 year old woman she is doing pretty well. She still can hold a conversation without a problem but has a hard time hearing sometimes. I think she just has selective hearing though. She also can move around pretty well using her walker, just watch your feet. Omi decided that she wanted to go for Chinese for lunch. Omi, Ruth, Bev and I had a wonderful lunch together and Omi got her first round of presents, chocolate and a picture from me. After lunch we headed back to Ruth's where more people came over to wish Omi a happy birthday and phone calls flooded in from family and friends around the world. That night the whole family was together again for a birthday dinner that included four generations of the family all together.