Family 2024

Families in China are generally huge. Relationship between family members are close. There is an unconditional love connecting us however far we are, physically, away from each other. 

It has been five years since the last visit to Beijing where my parents live. This time Dad decided to take me to the town where his parents came from. It is a very small place called Wang Village near Wuhan, Hubei Province. The pond where dad use to play around is still here. Grandma passed a few years ago, but her two younger sisters are still healthy in their late 80s and early 90s. Note: Grandma on dad's side is called 奶奶 Nai Nai. Grandma's sister is called 姨奶奶 Yi Nai Nai or aunt grandma.

About twenty five years ago, my third aunt grandma 三姨奶奶 visited Beijing. We took a picture then. This picture is still in the album by her bed. Years later, we finally gathered again also with my second aunt grandma 二姨奶奶, her sister. Dad looks very happy. He said they are just like his mom in his heart. For two days, we chatted, ate together, visited ancestor's graveyards, ate more, and chatted more, all about life between the three sisters, my dad and his brothers, and me when I was under ten years old.  I think, in the future, as long as they are there, I will try to go visit them more often. 

Back in Beijing. There are public parks everywhere, most of which are well maintained. Friends and strangers gather all day long, dancing, exercising, even swimming in channels. Nobody charges anything. They simply do it. People who are interested are free to join. Some groups grow big some stays small. I think this is our definition of family, our own blood related family which we love, also the big family where we connect by heart where loneliness is not allowed to retain. 

​If you happen to visit China, feel free to ask around to go into people's big families and visit parks. You'll be surrounded by love and care, for sure, maybe.