My wonderful and amazing grandma passed away on August 4, 2020.
I will always remember her resilience, cheerfulness, and wisdom. She radiated love and kindness, virtue and integrity, and intelligence and perceptiveness. I was blessed to have her as my grandmother.
Growing up in a small village in China, grandma was the first girl in her family to be sent to school. She begged her family to study in the local school, where she was taught art, science, and literature. Her younger sisters followed in her footsteps and were also educated. In college, she studied education, with the hopes of becoming a teacher. During her early 40s, she became extremely ill, but fought her disease with the same resolution she carried throughout her life. After my mom came to the United States, my grandma followed and we became a beaming family.
Even though in Chinese grandma is 奶奶 (nǎi nai), our family always called her 婆婆 (pó po), per her local dialect. I remember taking Chinese classes so I could communicate with 婆婆 better. I also became Baptized before her death, to give her reassurance.
It was my privilege to become close with her. I have learned how to fight, learn, and persevere with her wisdom. She has lived an astonishing 90 years, despite doctors predicting she couldn’t survive 50. Grandma also helped me through my heart transplant recovery. The night before she passed, I held her hand; when I squeezed she squeezed back, acknowledging me. I think this is the reason she didn’t pass during the night.
As much as I loved her, I recognize the need for her to depart this life. She belonged in Heaven with grandpa and loved ones. We are all children of God, and I trust she is watching down on us. May her life be remembered and cherished.
