Choi Mak

I am writing down my memories of my mother on this day of her passing. Mom passed away at

Kin On Healthcare in Seattle on December 29, 2020. She was born on November 20, 1921. She was on earth for almost one century! Her stages of life can be divided into three eras:

Mother survived through the second world war and she gave birth to me in 1945, the year of the end of WW-II. She resided in Hong Kong, helping my father at his dental clinic on the one hand, and on the other hand, she was the domestic engineer of our family. Without further mention of raising five of her naughty children, helped preparing their food, sewing their clothing, driving them to school and carrying their lunches as well after cooking at home. I remember helping her on bookkeeping of our domestic expenses. Therefore, I learned how to manage domestic financial matters. Mother never had opportunities attending school. However, she managed to learn to read and write, basic calculations to do her duties at home. She didn't have the knowledge to coach her children to do homework like nowadays we can do. But she always encouraged us and support us to study. I recall that she brought me snacks at wee hours when I was preparing for the exam at high school. I was feeling her love deep inside my heart. She supported our social activities by getting up from sleep at wee hours to open the door to let us in with no complaints.

After I came to The States, mother was commuting back and forth sharing her love with all her children between Hong Kong and America. Never had a word of tiredness of all those long trips. Subsequently till all of us settled here, she then decided to stay here on a foreign land where she does not understand the language. Happy days came when she saw us got married and established our own families one by one. Further, she enjoyed being promoted to be grandma once, twice and up to twelve! She loved all of them, and busy helping the care of some like Ramus, Pedro, Wing, Park, Kin, and Ching when they were in Hong Kong. She also spent time at my home with Brian and Allyson as we reside in The States. The late arrivals of Hayley, Robin,Faye and Lynn added onto the long united team of her grandchildren. She also appreciated the visitations from Jessie during her stay at Kin On. Amazing that she remembered the Birthdays of all of us and gave us our Red Envelopes every year. What a fond memories! Mother loves all her daughter-in-laws. She always asked me for Myrna when we visited her. She remembered their birthdays too. I am sure she remains living in each and everyone of our heart.

Fast forward a little. Grandchildren grown up and they met their love ones and also have their families. She was there for the weddings of every grandchildren. Seattle, Shanghai, California, Portland, Mexico, New Jersey, and Hong Kong, you all can remember. That's more joy and happiness. Mother always enjoyed the great grand children. I remember she went to share the happiness of Natalie's first year birthday party in Portland. What a joy of four generations together for the first time for the celebration. She loved to hear from them calling her “Tai Tai” (great grandma) What a fulfillment! She must feel that all those years of hardships raising us up are worthy. I am sure you all know that she even learned how to bribe them with the egg tarts in her later days. Mother always say that one of her grandsons told her to wear the seatbelt when he was very little, and you all know who he is! So, she had learned the safety rules of being a passenger. Her interactions reached all of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Mom is a good model for us. She not only loved all of us, but also established very good friendships with others. She is beloved by lots of her friends like Mi Gue; Suk Gue, Kam, and Simon. Her stronghold friendship to Kam lasted beyond her time on earth. She was health conscious. In her eighties, she was still walking regularly around the block where she lived. She was greeted by many people while I took her to Chinatown. She also became a Christian in her late sixties. I remember on one of her Birthday parties, while Ching Shan was still with us, I play her a song titled "I'd Rather Have Jesus" on the harmonica. Now, mommy is gone. I miss her!

We cannot rewind time. But, we will remember her spirit and happiness that we shared. We will remember her teachings on life. It was once said that old soldiers never die. She is just resting in peace. She is gone to be with our Father in Heaven. So long, mother, until one day we shall meet again. Meanwhile, you will be remembered by all of us. You are the champion on earth! We love you dearly.