婆婆,

As I write this letter to you PoPo, I think back on your long, storied life, and cannot help but stand in awe of your legacy. You lived through so much and witnessed the world transformed in extraordinary ways in the last 100 years. You were born into an era of great hardship for many, yourself included. Your childhood took place during a time of war, revolution, and unimaginable struggles. And yet through it all, you remained resilient, brave, and unwavering in your character and values as you started a new life in Hong Kong, built a new home, and raised a family that would span generations.

I say these things first because it's important for me to recognize how much you've endured and to put into context how significant your life was to so many people. You lived through all this so that your children, and their children, might one day be able to have a better life. It is a testament to how much you have always cared for and loved your family. That is a lasting memory that I, and everyone in our family, will always have of you.

I remember when I was a little boy how you came to America to live with us and help take care of me and my brother and sister. You came on your own with no experience and no familiarity with the US, only a piece of paper with an address as your guide, to live in a foreign land simply for the sake of your daughter and grandchildren. But you did not worry or care about the circumstances or the language barrier or the cultural differences. Your focus was solely on family and helping to raise us well.

My memories from that age are few, but the ones that I can remember are vivid. I will always recall our "English lesson" bath times. You would fill up our bright orange plastic kid's tub with water, place it in the bathtub, and then squat over the edge to scrub me down. And I would look up at you and point to different parts of your face, declaring each one: "eyes!", "nose!", "ears!". I remember repeating these over and over and your laugher with every attempt at saying "nose".

You were also wise and well-versed in raising us to be good, decent people. Though I was too young to understand at that time, I now recognize the times when you were stern with us and disciplined us with love when we misbehaved as teaching moments. We would not be as considerate, as thoughtful, as humble as we are today without your wisdom, the wisdom that showed us our actions have an impact on ourselves and others.

The most significant characteristic that I will remember about you PoPo is how unselfish and sacrificial you were with your love. You tirelessly cooked, cleaned, and looked after us in America and Hong Kong. But I cannot recall a single time you complained about anything or anyone. Even in your final days, you did not want us to worry about you or feel burdened as we cared for you. You thought only of us, your children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, until the very end. You wanted each of us to live our lives to the best and fullest.

In later years, you often asked during our video calls, when I would visit you, if I was dating, and if I was well. And though my answers were often uneventful (soon as I can, not yet, yes very well), you were always delighted to see me on the screen. It always brought joy to my day to see you happily waving and smiling from the other side, especially during our shared meal times! I will miss talking with you PoPo and being asked the important questions in a way that only a grandmother could ask.

As much as I wish I had more time with you, I know that it would have never been enough to hear all your stories and learn from your wisdom. I can only say that I am grateful for all the memories I have with you, of you, and because of you. As I look back on all the photos my mom has taken of our family, I can happily say that you brought us all together.

You will always be revered and loved in our family. I look forward to one day being able to tell my children about their brave great-grandmother. And to see you again in Heaven. I am grateful that you came to know God and walked with Jesus, even if it was just for a short time. Though you may not have known Him for very long, I know that He has always known and seen you for your whole life. And I am happy to know that He called you back to Him. May you rest in His peace forever, PoPo.

Love,

Your Grandson, Garland 家揚

Share this Story

November 18th, 2021

The Bay of Brothers

Rest in Royalty

a proposal story

December 2nd, 2016

Remembering Bergen

November 18^th, 2021

December 2^nd, 2016