Granny (Jessie Ah Sam's 90th birthday August 22, 2009

This happened in August 2009

I spent a few months collecting photos via email and

rumbling through all my stash of digital photos

to come up with an idea I saw at MSG my Monday

stamping group to make a flowerpot

for my grandmother's 90th birthday celebration

on August 22nd 2009 that was held

in Brisbane.

The flowers took a couple of months to decorate

and it took 3 full days to assemble,

certainly a work of love.

Each time I looked at a photo of a relative I

would reminisce about the memories I had of each one.

An emotional journey for me.

Our family is scattered far and wide throughout the world

England, Canada, USA, New Zealand, Fiji

and Australia.

Some relatives I hadn't even met or have vague

memories of,came to this auspicious occasion

and was like a reunion for the whole family.

I was blown away by the amount of extended family that lived

in Brisbane that were able to attend, some of whom

I only remembered as a little girl growing up in Fiji.

It was overwhelming for me so I can imagine

how my grandma felt seeing all of us together

especially as it was a surprise for her.

I was hoping she would not get an angina attack

at seeing us all.

Front of the flowerpot, there were 55 flowers

Back view of the flower pot with the photos and names

Granny blowing out her candle

Uncle Devlin's speech