Dear treasured family,
Thank you for being there for me
Thank you for energetic discussions
Thank you for loud, boisterous debates
Thank you for forgiving me
Thank you for loving me
And Thank you for letting me be me
but know that
I’ve never denied your existence,
resented your priorities
Or asked for more than I’ve received
(other than occasions when I’ve asked to use the family car)
I am blessed in many ways
And one of those ways is the beautiful four sisters I have
And two brothers-in-laws who have wisdom beyond the family
I bask in the universe’s abundance
(has anyone seen my shoe and bag collection?)
And have no need for wont
I am successful in ways you never imagined
Beyond the corporate dream and creative circle
And I have to say this,
My relationship with my mother will never be the same
She’s crossed the line this time
And until she apologises to me
Nothing’s going to be water off a duck’s back
There was once during Chinese New Year,
Father turned up at Arcadia before we were to go to Ah Boh’s house
I was wearing new garments including an ultra-hip, torn jeans (it was the 80s! It was so coooool) But I got screamed at by him – he said "Why are you dressed like a beggar? Don’t think u wear torn jeans you’ll get a bigger ang pows"
For years I wondered where this came from? I was 12 – I surely hadn’t developed an acute sense of how to elicit sympathy.
For many new years, I asked what set him off?
Now I know.
Mother has no ability to appreciate the good things in her life or see the blessings in other people’s life …
It hurt father,
It’s hurting me now.
So to end off:
I’ve always beat to my own drummer
Walked the untrodden path
And taken unexpected turns
No need to question why I am
I am a product of my parents, my sisters and my family.
With love