Ireland/China 2025, continuing (53)

[aadler]

Forty-third day in China – August 2 Saturday

I was up just after 9:00AM, didn’t pay attention to when Susan made it up. Regular breakfast, regular morning.

We knew there were plans in place for today — big get-together to celebrate Ruby being a month old — but didn’t yet know when or where, so Susan and I did our best to stay flexible. I went down to 7‑Eleven to get sandwiches and chips and chicken tenders, and Susan and I had a late lunch around 2:00PM.

Just after 5:00PM, Mei‑li let us know the place and the time. Somewhat after 6:00, Kevin came by to escort us there. It was the restaurant where we’d eaten our first full day on the mainland (June 22nd). All the Yin family except Logan, plus Jack’s girlfriend Joy, plus other friends, plus Ruby and the nanny … I think a dozen of us, all told. As has always been done at that restaurant, it was a table with a giant rotating centerpiece, and different dishes were added and taken away with the diners helping themselves as each came by.

I took a moment to ask Kevin if he’d managed to print out my story for Amber, and he admitted he’d been too busy. In the later part of the meal, when she’d eaten enough and was just sitting around being bored, I gave her my phone with the story page open. She got just so far into it, and then somehow the page was lost (because I didn’t actually have ’Net connection at the restaurant). Kevin called the page up on his phone, and Amber continued till she was on the last section …

… but everything else was winding up, and it was time for them to go home. Amber left with her mother and grandmother; outside, we found that it was raining pretty solidly, so that even though our own building was just on the opposite corner, it wasn’t desirable to try and get Susan’s wheelchair through two intersections without umbrellas. Kevin went on ahead, brought back umbrellas from our apartment, and Jack and Joy talked and kept us company while we waited.

Once we had suitable cover, Susan and I and Kevin returned to the apartment. I asked him to let me know when Amber did finish the story, because 1) I had a follow-up gift for her, and 2) I won’t post the story for anyone else to read till she’s finished her own first time through.

Once Kevin left, Susan and I did our day’s Rosary. Various diversions till time to get ready for bed.