Hard Being Parent

When I reached my mid-twenties I decided to confront Mama Lai over all the missed basketball games, rowing races, tennis matches and various other unattended school and extracurricular events.  I wanted her to account for the lack of support I felt all those years growing up.  Mama Lai heard me through my venting and ranting, cocked her head to one side and sighed:

"I never knew you felt that way!  I honestly felt like I was stretched so thin. I was so tired from sleeping very little raising you three and then I would have to drop you off here, pick you up somewhere else so you can participate in anything that you were interested in always thinking I'd give you an opportunity to learn whatever you wanted.  Something I didn't get to have growing up.  All that time I thought I was being supportive!  And then you tell me that you feel like I didn't support you?  I do my best -- gosh it's so hard to be a parent!"

The Cherry Tree Story

Once upon a time I swallowed a cherry pit.  Worried, I went to Mama Lai and told her what happened in case she needed to take me to see a doctor.  Then my uncle, Mama Lai's brother took me onto his lap and said:

"Little [Niece], there's nothing we can do about it.  But don't worry it won't hurt you.  It will just sit in your stomach and then one day it will sprout.  And then become a cherry tree in your stomach.  And as you get bigger, the tree will get bigger and the branches will come out of your ears and your mouth until you will no longer be you but a really big cherry tree.  And then [Mama Lai] will have as many cherries as she wants."

And then I burst out crying and then Mama Lai laughed .  Mama Lai likes to re-tell it and say:

"Hahaha.  You were such a dumb kid.  You would believe anything your uncle would tell you."

 

Happiest Place on Earth

When Duckie was three years old and I was nearly six, Mama Lai and Papa Lai took us on a trip to Disneyland Resorts in Anaheim, CA.  That was a memorable trip for both me and Duckie, but when Mama Lai recalls that family vacation, this is what she remembers:

"Yah, we spent so much money bringing whole family to Disneyland.  Then on our way out of Disneyland we stop by McDonald's and you and your sister were even happier at the playground at McDonald's.  So excited, in a better mood!  We even took picture because everyone was so happy.  We stayed at McDonald's for over 2 hours.  Why we drive so far?  We have McDonald's down the street from us!"

A Proud Mama Lai

Mama Lai journeyed to Vegas and attended a mega multi-class high school reunion.  There was a banquet and each woman was asked to come up and summarize her accomplishments.  Mama Lai went to the number one all-girl’s high school in Taiwan and as her former classmates went up on stage and talked about their research papers, awards and other career accomplishments, Mama Lai got up on stage and said

“I have 3 children.  And each of them call me every day without me asking.”

Mama Lai received a standing ovation.  When she related the story to me, she said:

“I wasn’t sure what I was going to say.  I did not know they were going to ask us to speak.  And when I was waiting my turn I tried to think of what I was most proud of in my life.  And it’s my 3 kids.”