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Meaning
of "Many Happy Returns": May you have many,
many more happy birthdays!
Origin:
This expression was first recorded in a letter of 1779 where the
writer meant ‘Happy New Year.' Up until the 19th century
this was a New Year’s Day and even April Fool’s Day greeting
as well as a birthday greeting that it exclusively is today.
Since Tom was born on April Fool's Day, it's
appropriate.
Mahalo
and congratulations (you pulled it off!) to lovely Doris;
Tom's son and daughter, Dave and Debbie (who we've known since
her college days and only that night discovered was Doris' and
Tom's daughter), and their supportive spouses; and Tom's and
Doris' three grandsons, who were impeccably well-behaved and so
very helpful in distributing prizes.
Mahalo
for that generous dinner feast at the Imperial Mandarin. The
courses just kept coming and coming and coming! Kay T made
sure we were well-supplied with the accessories: hashi,
Chinese yellow mustard, shoyu and oolong tea. Big eaters,
we chowed down. We noticed all the other tables had nokori
(leftovers) to take home. Not us!
We
had such a fun time (really, how can you miss with Kay at the
table, who kept us in stitches!). We, along with Yoshi and
John M, Sue N, and George T, assaulted Miyoko's ears with our inaka
(country) Japanese-pidgin English banter. Words like benjo (toilet),
iran (not wanted), karai (hot), hairan (won't
go in), umai (delicious), momona (Hawaiian for
sweet and ripe, also meaning plump in pidgin usage), and puka
(Hawaiian for hole) brought us right back home to our Hawai`i
roots.
Mahalo
for your gracious hosting and the party favors with the
sentiment, "I'm so glad to have a friend like you."
Our hearts
were warmed to see such expressions of love and appreciation for
Tom -- a much loved husband, father, grandfather, and a
sweetheart of a friend. It is we who are so glad to have friends
like you! We
shall long remember Tom's sweet, shy smile when it dawned on him
that HE was the guest of honor. That smile never left his
face all evening. We hope this Web site will keep the
memories of this celebration fresh and easily accessible for all
of the Ohara `Ohana and friends. We kept the jokes clean
and all-in-fun. We
leave you with this mind-blower: Tom, you're the same age
as Yoko
Ono, who celebrated her 70th on February 18. Imagine
that! Like you, she is a positive inspiration when she
says:
"Winter
passes and one remembers one's perseverance."
Mahalo for
persevering to your 70th, Tom. We speak for all of your
family and guests, we loved celebrating it together with you.
Me ke Aloha
and wishing you many happy returns,
T& D
PAU |
