Essence of Duckie

My sister (Duckie) sent Mama Lai some photos of her first ice skating outing. The rest of us were impressed with Duckie's agility, but Mama Lai had different expectations:

"Where is the falling down pictures?  Those pictures you sent did not catch the essences of ice skating of [Duckie]."

And the Same Picture is Worth Ten Thousand Words from Mama Lai

And then Mama Lai piped in on the same photo I sent to Papa Lai :

“Why do you produce so much oil?  Those other girls look normal and you look so…shiny.  You should carry…what is it called?  Powder.  Powder will absorb oil.  Why are you so dark?  You look so dark compared to those girls.  Need to remember to wear sunblock.  But mommy thinks you look like you’ve been working hard.  Your face is no longer a block and has some shape.  Keep up the good work!  Don’t stop!”

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words from Papa Lai

When I was home one holiday I was showing Mama Lai photos, when Papa Lai came around wanting to know what all the fuss was about.  Peering at the computer screen he asked

“Who is THAT?”

“Um, me dad.  Your first born.”

Perhaps upset or just plain grumpy, Papa Lai scratched the top of his head with his thumb and grunted,

“Doesn’t look like you.” 

Then promptly left the room. 

This past weekend I sent Papa Lai a photo that was taken of me along with some of my friends.

 “This photo doesn’t say anything.  What is it?”

Bracing myself for maybe another senior citizen moment, I replied “It’s a picture of me and friends.”

 “Oh.  Who are you friends?  I don’t recognize them.  I recognize you though!”

He recognized me.  ☺  And to make my day even brighter he said,

“And still beautiful.”