November 27, 2005 - Memory

Memories are strange things. Sometimes they are plain as day, vivid, and fully saturated with color. Other times, they are but a hint, a feeling of familiarity. Coming back to Grandma’s house more of the latter. It has been over 27 years since I’ve been here and many things have changed. My grandparents used to live on floors 2 and 3 of this building with the first floor rented out to a store owner. Since Grandpa’s passing, Grandma hasn’t need as much space and has moved to just the third floor. Now, a store-owner has reached majority in his occupation of this building. Much of the third floor is the same except for some newer appliances and tiling. And, there are no more chickens living on the roof.



My memory was helped along by some old photo albums that my uncle pulled out. The photos were yellowed and somewhat faded…not unlike my own memories. They did tell many stories that I was too young at the time to remember…and some that unfolded before I was born. Again, the photos of my parents were familiar with Dad looking more like me, currently, than his wiser appearance now. There were the photos of Dad as he was at the airport, getting ready to leave his entire family to start his medical internship in the U.S. And, the photos of Dad a year later as he was reunited with his wife and children. These were the times that Mom and Dad never mentioned, because they involved much personal sacrifice on their parts. And their own sacrifices are things that they never mentioned.

Lunch was a pleasure. It was a bit of a reunion with a few uncles, aunts, and cousins. The cousins were familiar only because they looked like my uncles.

We went to Taipei 101 which was NOT familiar. It is now the tallest building in the World, I’m sure to be eclipsed by another engineering marvel somewhere else. I don’t think it is particularly attractive, looking like a stack of Chinese take-out boxes but I can’t deny this incredible architectural achievement. Aunt and Uncle took us up to the observation deck where we could get a 360 degree view of Taipei. It was an impressive view but was a little less rewarding considering the ease of taking the elevator for 33 seconds to get to that elevation. It usually takes us all day of climbing in a team of 2 or 3 to get to the same elevation on a rock face. Then again, not everything is climbing. I tend to forget that.


Sometimes, the simple things are the most rewarding. Taipei 101 did provide me with much joy when I noticed Page One, a very large book store chain, in the building. My aunt, uncle and sister helped me to find a Chinese translation of the Little Prince. It is a story that is close to my heart and finding translations has become an important part of my travels.

With much jet lag, it was difficult to stay conscious much later than 8 pm yesterday. So, bedtime came early and lasted long through the night. There was one point in the night that really emphasized a major theme in my parents’ lives and it became so clear that this theme is part of their upbringings. At about 2 am, I had a tickle in my throat and had to cough several times. I tried my best to conceal it because I knew what would happen. I was quite unsuccessful and before I knew it, Grandma had gotten out of bed with one of her blankets in hand. She was afraid that I was getting sick and came out to shelter me from the cold. There was no doubt she was sleeping with her door open to facilitate sensing any needs that my sister or I had. It was quite amazing and clearly illustrated this life goal of my parents and grandparents…“to be constantly attentive while remaining invisible yourself”.