Memere's Traditional French Birthday

by Pierrette
(Provence)

For my Memere’s (grandmother) 90th birthday, our family decided to host a huge birthday fete. Traditionally in France, religious people celebrate their naming day, the day chosen to honor the saint they are named after.

My memere was Angeline, so she usually celebrated her birthday on July 18th, Blessed Angeline of Marsciano’s day, even though her actual birthday was in January!

We brought her breakfast in bed, and made her favorite meals all day, although she rarely ate much. Because it was her birthday, she finished off a whole serving of pate for lunch!

In France, it’s traditional for the birthday person to treat his or her guests with a party. We had arranged to treat my memere's guests to a large, delicious meal for dinner. Gifts are not usually expected here, though many friends brought cards and small trinkets.

My memere's friends from throughout her life arrived. Many we hadn’t seen in ages. My mother had used the internet to find memere's best friend from childhood, and when the two of them met, it was a tearful reunion, reminiscing on the tough times they had together during the Great War. It was a heart-warming moment for everyone!

After the meetings, the wine began to flow. We served bouillabaisse and pot au feu. Memere had worked hard to make a milles-feuille for us: a pastry with a thousand sheets. It doesn’t actually have a thousand, but it was delicious!

My memere only lived a few years after that celebration, but she raved about how much fun she had and how she enjoyed seeing everyone together for her remaining years.