高婆婆

Today I attended the memorial service of the grandmother of my childhood friend. I remember when I was little, and would go over to her house to play with my friend, I would see the grandmother and grandfather together. In their old house, the grandfather's desk was behind the two sofas in the basement. I remember playing on the rug in front of the TV with the old nintendo console. I remember when I was little, I thought the grandfather was weird, with his crossed eyes and slow walk. Only many years later, at his funeral service, did I realize he was blind and deaf from a stroke. I am very happy for the grandmother, that she can now be reunited with the love of her life in heaven after 10 long and painful years.
I remember she always make my favorite foods when I went over. She would make me potato salad, sushi, and inari. Definitely Taiwanese style, but a hint of her Japanese upbringing as well. She used to hand make all of her granddaughter's clothes for them. She was a professional seamstress. I liked the clothes she made, but now that I looked back, all the dresses looked kind of amish. I remember she made my first boxers, and other things that I remember going to my mom saying, "mom, this is too girly for me to wear."
I remember when the grandmother shared her past, her life in Taiwan. I remember the stories of how she met with her husband. After hearing the summary of her life today, I can finally piece together all the details in my mind. I can see her walking down the street with her white, wide-brimmed hat, with a stud of a guy chasing after her.
I will personally thank her for her tender care and ever steadfast care for her family in Weatherby Lake. She had a choice to leave, to live a more relaxed life, but I know her love for her children and grandchildren kept her alive and rooted. She was a person who loved God with a faith like none other. I wish one day I can live each day with an abiding attitude like hers. Maybe I should be trained in Japan too...

I write this because I miss this grandmother. Her name is Mei-Li Chen Kao, but in my heart she will always be 高婆婆. I hope that I will learn more from today, and when I go back to Taiwan, I can take the time out of shopping and eating and touring to spend time talking and listening to my own grandparents, to hear their stories, and to show them that I love them. Before it is too late.

I pray for all my friends who have lost a grandmother or grandfather this month. May they rest in peace, and be with the ones they love. They will always be watching from Heaven, smiling, and waiting for family to come home.