Happy Birthday Sheri: Celebrating, Nepali Style
On Wednesday, Anish tells us he’ll have to go home early to help prepare a birthday party for his daughter Sheri. She’s turning 12, and Janella and I are invited.
We quickly accept, excited to go into a Nepalese home, and go shopping for gifts. Kind of a challenge since we don’t know Sheri. In the end, I get her colorful room decorations - small paper hearts, birds, stars and leaves, strung on long golden threads - and Janella finds a small Spanish phrase book. That evening, we join two of Anish’s staffers - the helpful Pradip, and funny, warm Bijaya - and head out of Kathmandu and toward the gently rolling hills around Bhaktapur, where both Pradip and Anish live.
As is the tradition in Nepal, Anish and Pradip live in large, multi-generational homes, Pradip with his parents and wife; Anish with his parents, his wife and two children; his brother, sister-in-law and their two kids. Anish’s family has deep roots here. He tells me his daughter and son are the fourteenth generation to live in the area. I let that sink in: how many Americans can say the same?
As we enter the garden surrounding Anish’s house, we see a small guest house with a collapsed roof - a reminder of the devastating earthquake that rocked Nepal in April 2015, killing more than 9,000 people. ELI’s director, Kevin O’Neill, stayed here once; it’s now uninhabitable.
Welcoming us, Anish points to a school across the street. It too was badly damaged, and it was one of the first reconstruction projects ELI Abroad volunteers tackled in the wake of the quake. Since then, ELI’ers have helped rebuild several schools, but this one is special.
Kids’ laughter and squeals reminds us this a joyous occasion. Sheri has just come home from school and changed out of her school uniform (a blue button-down shirt and gray, pleated skirt) and into a pretty white dress. The party is on.
As the children run off to do their thing, Janella and I are introduced to Anish’s charismatic family -- and here I have to add that his wife is beautiful! And his four year old son Shayan is a rambunctious ball of energy and charm.
When it’s time for cake, everyone gathers in a room decorated with balloons. We sing “Happy Birthday to You” and watch as Shari blows out the candles and sparklers atop of two beautiful, rich chocolate cakes. Music comes on and someone pops the balloons, which rain confetti that had been inside. There is squealing as the kids spray each other with -- is it silly string? Shaving cream? -- something from a can that has them reeling with laughter. Shari then helps cut the cake, and brings a piece to each guest as they, in turn, wish her a happy birthday and offer their gifts. Sheri is happy but poised; her mother and Anish are beaming with affection and pride.
Afterwards we proceed to dinner, a parade of wonderful Nepalese dishes, some spicy, all delicious. It’s a wonderful evening. And as it turns out, this birthday party in Nepal isn’t that different. It’s all about togetherness, love, children, parents, grandparents: a universal celebration of family and friends. Janella and I feel privileged to have been there.
No comments:
Post a Comment