Piecing together fragmented memories: A posthumous portrait of my grandparents

Part I – Before

我媽媽的我比較清楚

他們以前在鄉下生活～米也不夠～人們是靠拿糧票去換米～拿回家的米～都只能煲成粥水吃～沒有真正吃到米飯～她說只有生日的時候才能吃到雞蛋～不像我們現在～雞蛋到處都是～多到我們都不愛吃～

姑婆更說過～她們用一粒豆豉做餸就能吃成碗飯了～

Back when my grandparents were living in the villages, food was always scarce. There was never enough rice on the table, and neither could the meager portion even be considered as ‘rice’; commonfolk had to exchange ration vouchers for precious rice, and the measly amount they received was only enough to make diluted and tasteless porridge. 

Instead of the array of accompanying dishes most people are now accustomed to, a single fermented soybean was all that complemented their meals. 

However, on rare special occasions like their birthday, their meals were accompanied by eggs.

“Eggs were a luxury that could only be afforded once a year,” my aunt mirthlessly chuckled, “unlike now, where there are so many, my kids hate eating them.”

Part II – Journey

In 1945, their lives were permanently uprooted by the Chinese Civil War (People’s War of Liberation).

Like many others, they became jobless. Unemployed, they starved, dreamt, and prayed for a better life, a better tomorrow for themselves and the second beating heart inside her. 

One night, their homes were dark, beds untouched. Though most of their possessions still remained, the house was missing 100 dollars and a family. Under the cover of the night, they escaped to the docks and boarded a small boat, headed for a new world – Hong Kong. Storm clouds gathered overhead, masking the familiar glow of the moon. Perhaps it was better that way, safer, and the gods above were protecting them from prosecution. 

Yet, the waves continued to rock violently throughout the night, threatening to crush the tiny boat. Soon enough, their clothes were wet, and her swollen feet were nearly fully submerged in water. Their hearts drummed against the ribcage as waves towered over them. Her eyes shut tightly, placing her hand defensively on the round belly. She squeezed his hands tightly, as she anxiously whispered prayers and pleas with a trembling voice.

Part III – Life-After

爺爺同嫲嫲剛來到香港～那時生活很艱難～沒錢又沒屋住～

然後靠撿人家不要的麵包皮來充飢～

當找到房屋居住了～爺爺去行船賺錢～嫲嫲就靠穿膠花和砌塑料娃娃維持生計～

Their prayers were answered. 

They safely arrived in Hong Kong, but their promised land was similarly filled with hardships and pain.

In hindsight, their new lives started off significantly worse than before; the little money they brought was far from being enough for a house or food. More often than not, their rumbling stomachs prompted them to scavenge for bread crusts and other bits of food. 

Later, they found a simple place to live, and worked odd jobs to make ends meet; sometimes he did metalwork and fixed gates for others, but he was hardly ever home on account of his job as a ship captain. On the other hand, she made crystal bracelets and plastic dolls for a living. 

以前生活比較艱難，一家六口住在狹小房間，床位都不够，甚至要打地铺，婆婆也會做一些小手作幫補家計，有時夜晚一家人買一些小食、飲品看電視，就已經覺得很開心了，即使生活環境不是太好却也能滿足，可能呢啲就係知足常樂，一家人快快樂樂就夠。

Years later, their conditions remained the same. However, at that point instead of two, a family of six shared the tiny room. They didn’t even have enough space for proper beds, and slept on simple mats on the floor. 

On late nights, laughter echoed through the tight quarters as the children devoured the delicious snacks and drinks, watching television on uneven stools. It was small things like this that became the most unforgettable memories of my uncles and mother. Though their home was small, it made them closer. They shared the same warmth and happiness on the coldest nights when typhoons raged outside. 

“Maybe this is what they meant by ‘eternal happiness is contentment’ (知足常樂),” my uncle recalls, “it is enough for me, as long as our family is together and happy.”

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“Do you know the people over there in Africa? People have nothing to eat and often starve to death, but you have it but don’t know how to cherish it.” 

She taught us to appreciate food since we were young; after starvation and suffering they understand that food and resources are not easily obtained, and made sure that we know it. 

My grandmother and grandfather, and their generation led a life opposite to ours today. They endured the bittermost experiences, trekked through perilous lands, all just so we can have the sweeter memories, and a better future.  

Because of them, I grew up knowing not to take things for granted. 

前人種樹，後人乘涼

I will always be grateful for the solace of the cooling shade from the trees they planted.