My maternal grandmother passed away on December 19 - about a month shy of her 98th birthday (99 if you count the Chinese way). Alex hoped that she would live to 100 but she was blessed and lived a full life - she had four children, nine grand-children, and seven great-grandchildren, the oldest of whom is in college and the youngest born just this year! We visited during the summer and had a family reunion that included her, my mom and sister, some of my aunts and uncles, cousins, and their kids - four generations. I have many memories of her - here's some: gardening, raising a goat, dealing with rattlesnakes, playing solitaire and mah jong, reading the Wall Street Journal and following the market, cooking and making dumplings, crochet, tai chi, watching game shows, and her paraffin hand treatment in an old crockpot... Here are some photos of ours from visits through the years and her obituary.





Today is the 2nd anniversary of my Dad's death. As I was going through old photos and old emails to make this album of my grandma, I found a letter I sent and started reminiscing...

Hi Dad,

I'm thankful the last few years have given you opportunities to travel (to HKG, NY, etc) and see old friends and relatives. I'm glad the kids have gotten to know you during our visits and that you've followed their lives via my photos and blog when you could. They are old enough to have some memories of times spent together, unlike myself and your dad - I only have vague memories of spending time in the laundry...

I know that since our family wasn't outwardly affectionate growing up and your, what I call "tough love" practices were some times hard to take, the words "I love you" don't roll easily off the tongue. In our hearts, though, we feel it, and appreciate all your sacrifices to raise us. It's hard to raise children!

I love you Dad and will miss you. I remember swimming next to the rowboat in Maine while you rowed, I remember you teaching me to drive the car that was as old as I was. I remember us all stuck with no power for 3 days - snowed in in Redding! I remember us playing on Wii sports together. I have lots of documentation of experiences together by movies/videos and photographs that are in albums - yours and my own.

See you soon!

Love, 

Becky