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154 The Unforgettable Moments in Life

Jubilee

By R. Limkary

Mella was fourteen years old. She was getting ready for her uncle’s jubilee, his 50th

birthday. A jubilee is a tradition in the Marshallese community. They celebrate a friend or a

family member’s 50th birthday. You may think that it’s normal to celebrate a 50th birthday, but

it’s more fun than buying a cake and just singing birthday songs. They go all out. It’s chaotic.

Mella’s family was rushing so they could be at the church to celebrate her uncle's jubilee.

Her mom was yelling at everyone to hustle up and get in the car. As Mella was done combing her

long black hair, she threw on a plain black dress with cute shades of brown and white flannel.

She and her brothers and sisters finally got in the car to go to their church. When they got to the

church, there were a bunch of cars there and a lot of people pushing and shoving to get in.

As soon as Mella and her family got into the church, they saw that almost all the seats

were full and her uncle was sitting at the very front. There was a banner of himself behind him

that said “Happy 50th Birthday”. Mella and her family found seats for all of them and sat down.

Mella’s cousins welcomed them and brought them food. Everyone was eating while there were

some other people in the front playing piano and singing some Marshallese songs.

After everyone got done eating, there were some kids preparing for their dance

performance. The music finally started and the kids started dancing. They were having fun and a

lot of the kids' family members were cheering for them. Mella’s aunt walked up to the kids and

put money on them, and began throwing candies at everyone at the church. Each and everyone at

the church started laughing and just looked lively. Mella’s uncle looked so proud and was

smiling wide.