Such a beautiful tribute to your “auntie mommy” and to a time gone by. I love it. It brought tears to my eyes. I can picture the Shanghai terrace house.
Thank you Joan - as much as I long for my Auntie-Mommy, I miss the culture and the house I grew up in, and I don't want the past to disappear. For as long as people are reading my essay, I am ensuring the past lives on. Thank you for reading it!
I am so sorry for your loss during such a difficult time.
I grew up in a very small family and I LOVE reading about big family celebrations and imagining all the tastes, smells, sounds and people. I would love even more information about the food that you all ate!
Your description of your urge to send Auntie Mommy a WeChat message brought tears to my eyes.
Thank you Stephanie! I wrote the story partly for my son and his generation, most of whom don't have the experiences with big families nor multi-generational family gatherings. I want to preserve the culture while I preserve my memories of dear Auntie Mommy, through my writing. I am so glad that you enjoyed reading it!
Thank you! This is not only a wonderful tribute to your Auntie-Mommy, but also an informative historical post. My first husband’s parents came to Jamaica from Canton in the 1930s, leaving two children behind, but were unable to reunite with them because of the revolution you write about here. This is why I’m always interested in hearing about others’ experiences. Thank you!
Thanks Barbara! This is why I plan to write that chapter of my life in China, with similar stories - stories of the past generation from the 20th century.
SO beautiful, full of gorgeous details and vivid storytelling. Not everyone is lucky enough to have great female role models in their childhood, I loved reading about yours!
Thank you Alicia! I wish to introduce my Auntie-Mommy to the world and by doing so reminding myself that life does not need to be perfect to give me meaning and joy and love!
I also need this reminder from time to time, and I think many other women do as well! The way you described your family's Lunar New Year celebration dinner was beautiful, and reminded me that beauty and connection can arise from circumstances that are less-than-ideal when there is great love in the mix.
Reminds me of my dear friend and law school classmate, Esther Yu. A bright woman, concert pianist, wonderful lawyer originally from Shanghai; sadly, she was murdered by her abusive husband. I still think of her.
Thank you for highlighting your heritage in this wonderful memoir. This post caused me to look up Michelle Yeoh’s acceptance speech and then Kevin Huy’s. I loved the message in Waymond’s character scripting and want to watch the movie again now. They both made huge strides and brought great honor to Asian Americans and well-deserved and long overdue recognition.
Thanks Shauna! We all need to remember and celebrate our heritages and our roots. I am glad that there has been more light shed on that through the Michelles and Kevins. I want to share that as an "ordinary" citizen, we all have our stories to tell, experiences to remember, and loved ones to recognize.
Thank you for sharing such a warm and intimate portrait, well-written and tender. Having lost my only Auntie just five days ago, this brings up so many memories for me, thank you for the reflections.
Your story reminds me of my father's in many ways. He, too, was raised by his aunt, while his mother was working outside the home. But they left China after it fell to Communism, and the exact timeline is a mystery. Thanks for sharing your story. xo
A loving recollection of a beloved family member. Through your writing, you keep the memory of her alive and share her with many who did not have the privilege. Thank you.
Thank you Kathleen! That is the power and beauty I love about writing - through our writing we share our memories and experiences, and through our writing, we keep these memories alive and hope others can learn from our experiences.
I love this story, the photos, and the descriptions-all of it. Auntie Mommy was stunning. I love her silent rebellion to maintain her nails, her individuality and to pass on the importance of individuality to you and to us, your readers. Beautiful!
Thanks Kara! My auntie-mommy was a gorgeous woman, and the life we live while not perfect, is worth celebrating and honoring. Thanks for reading my story!
Such a beautiful tribute to your “auntie mommy” and to a time gone by. I love it. It brought tears to my eyes. I can picture the Shanghai terrace house.
Thank you Joan - as much as I long for my Auntie-Mommy, I miss the culture and the house I grew up in, and I don't want the past to disappear. For as long as people are reading my essay, I am ensuring the past lives on. Thank you for reading it!
Thanks for your reminisce of " Auntie Mommy". You were lucky to have had her in your life.
Yes I was indeed lucky so I want to share her with the rest of the world! Thank you for reading!
I am so sorry for your loss during such a difficult time.
I grew up in a very small family and I LOVE reading about big family celebrations and imagining all the tastes, smells, sounds and people. I would love even more information about the food that you all ate!
Your description of your urge to send Auntie Mommy a WeChat message brought tears to my eyes.
Thank you Stephanie! I wrote the story partly for my son and his generation, most of whom don't have the experiences with big families nor multi-generational family gatherings. I want to preserve the culture while I preserve my memories of dear Auntie Mommy, through my writing. I am so glad that you enjoyed reading it!
Thank you! This is not only a wonderful tribute to your Auntie-Mommy, but also an informative historical post. My first husband’s parents came to Jamaica from Canton in the 1930s, leaving two children behind, but were unable to reunite with them because of the revolution you write about here. This is why I’m always interested in hearing about others’ experiences. Thank you!
Thanks Barbara! This is why I plan to write that chapter of my life in China, with similar stories - stories of the past generation from the 20th century.
SO beautiful, full of gorgeous details and vivid storytelling. Not everyone is lucky enough to have great female role models in their childhood, I loved reading about yours!
Thank you Alicia! I wish to introduce my Auntie-Mommy to the world and by doing so reminding myself that life does not need to be perfect to give me meaning and joy and love!
I also need this reminder from time to time, and I think many other women do as well! The way you described your family's Lunar New Year celebration dinner was beautiful, and reminded me that beauty and connection can arise from circumstances that are less-than-ideal when there is great love in the mix.
Reminds me of my dear friend and law school classmate, Esther Yu. A bright woman, concert pianist, wonderful lawyer originally from Shanghai; sadly, she was murdered by her abusive husband. I still think of her.
That must be awful! I could see that I share more than one thing with your friend. Sorry about her unfortunate passing.
Oh, my gosh. <3
Thank you for highlighting your heritage in this wonderful memoir. This post caused me to look up Michelle Yeoh’s acceptance speech and then Kevin Huy’s. I loved the message in Waymond’s character scripting and want to watch the movie again now. They both made huge strides and brought great honor to Asian Americans and well-deserved and long overdue recognition.
Thanks Shauna! We all need to remember and celebrate our heritages and our roots. I am glad that there has been more light shed on that through the Michelles and Kevins. I want to share that as an "ordinary" citizen, we all have our stories to tell, experiences to remember, and loved ones to recognize.
Thank you for sharing such a warm and intimate portrait, well-written and tender. Having lost my only Auntie just five days ago, this brings up so many memories for me, thank you for the reflections.
Thank you Deb. I am sorry for your loss. In your memory is where you Auntie will always live!
Absolutely beautiful essay!
Thanks Gloria! Aiming to write more in 2023 and beyond :).
Your story reminds me of my father's in many ways. He, too, was raised by his aunt, while his mother was working outside the home. But they left China after it fell to Communism, and the exact timeline is a mystery. Thanks for sharing your story. xo
Thank you Lani. I am honored to be able to connect to your memory and love through sharing my memory and love!
A loving recollection of a beloved family member. Through your writing, you keep the memory of her alive and share her with many who did not have the privilege. Thank you.
Thank you Kathleen! That is the power and beauty I love about writing - through our writing we share our memories and experiences, and through our writing, we keep these memories alive and hope others can learn from our experiences.
Yi, that was a beautiful piece!.
Thanks Dave! Did not expect to see you on Substack! :)
You put a link on Facebook. We're friends there, so I saw it.
Hope you and Chi-Fang are having as good a time as it appears. That luthier apprentice trip was very impressive.
Beautiful to reminisce with you. Thank you for sharing your memories of Auntie-Mommy.
Thanks Stella! I am honored to be able to share my memories and heritage with the community!
I love this story, the photos, and the descriptions-all of it. Auntie Mommy was stunning. I love her silent rebellion to maintain her nails, her individuality and to pass on the importance of individuality to you and to us, your readers. Beautiful!
Thank you Mary! You comment was a wonderful response and confirmation that we shall write more to share the beauties of life and love!
This is such a gorgeous honoring. Thank you so much for sharing.
Thanks Kara! My auntie-mommy was a gorgeous woman, and the life we live while not perfect, is worth celebrating and honoring. Thanks for reading my story!
lovely , warm loving story.
Thanks Vera for reading this story of love and life!