AN UNFORGETTABLE REUNION
Family is more precious than you think
Este post no tiene nada que ver con “Hispanic,” es mas sobre una experiencia que experimente durante Spring Break. Tratare de escribir lo que
siento en las palabras mas honestas posibles.
For Spring Break, I went to China to visit my grandparents.
It might sound something fun to do, but I actually I went to visit him because
he is getting sicker and sicker. He has Alzheimer, which makes him forget about
everything, including me. I knew that he had Alzheimer and I was mentally
prepared to see him. Upon arriving to the China, I couldn't wait to see my
family.
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| My Dad's hometown is Wenzhou |
The ride from the airport to my dad’s hometown, where my
grandfather is, consists of 45 minutes. For that 45 minutes ride, I couldn't
stop talking about how well I’m doing; I was just euphemizing or sugar coating
my situation. After all, I don't like it when my aunts ask me how well I’m
doing in school and life. The ride felt short, in matter of time, I was at my
oldest uncle’s house.
I carried my backpack with me while my uncle helped me move
the bigger luggage out of the car. My third aunt opened the door for me and I
was welcomed with a lot of noises. Everyone was at the house; they were all
waiting for my arrival. While walking into the crowded living room, I asked,
“where’s Yeye (Chinese for grandfather)?” He was just sitting there on the
sofa. How did I miss him? I looked at him and shout out “Yeye.” He just looked
at me and gave me no feedback. I tried again, “Yeye.” He said “aye.” Does he
even know that I’m his granddaughter? Well, he did reply when I call him
“Yeye.” So, maybe yes?
Immediately, my dad asked Yeye to see if he remembers me. He
didn't even look at me; he just rolled his eyes at me and smiled. Well, I guess
he doesn't remember me at all. I spent the rest of my Spring Break with him.
Until day before I had to go back to Austin, he talked to me. It is not as if I
never talk to him, but he just never reply me. I guess he feels that I’m a
stranger at first so he doesn’t even want to look at me.
He was lying on the bed and rolling his eyes all over the
room. I sat next to him and he asked me, did I
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| Me and My Yeye |
When he was asking me all these questions, for a second, I
feel that he remembered me. It is just like the old good days when he always
questions me why am I always late to get home. I wonder if he remembers me as
Jennifer or he is just asking me because I was there.
The next morning, I was leaving China. I looked at him and
said that I was leaving. He asked, “where are you going?” I couldn't contain my
tears and said, “I’m going home.” For one second I didn't remember that I was
not actually going “home.” I am going back to Austin, to school. I corrected
myself and said “I’m going to Texas, to school.” He said, “oh okay.”
I don't think he knows that he will not see me for a while
after I depart. Everyone was helping with the luggage. I had nothing to carry
with me, only my backpack. I ran back to my grandfather’s room to see that he
was just rolling his eyes all over the room. I told him that I was leaving and
that “I will be back soon.” He looked at me and said “be safe.”
Actually, I don't even know if I will see him again or not.
I am not trying to be negative or pessimist, but knowing that your grandparents
are getting older and older is not pleasant. I want to remind y’all that it is
very important to appreciate what you have now, specially your family members.
Even though going back to china is not considered a “party.”
It is actually a way of “Celebrando la Vida.” A simple reunion with the one you
love is already a great celebration. I would like to conclude this post with a
phrase about family,
You don't choose your family.
They are God’s gift to you, as
you are to them
Here, I will attach some videos about how much we should
appreciate our parents. Don’t look for them only when you need them, love them
