Jeannette, Jay, Jay Jay, Pallie, My True Blue, Jay Nay, Sister. These are the names I call my girlfriend since 2 years old, Jeannette Acacia Ho.
Jeannette has always been creative, her grade school art was always adorable, mine, not so much. I’ll bet she gets a lot of it from her mom, Margaret "Jing Mei”. Jing was a second mom to me as we were growing up. When my mom worked, Jing would look after me and my two sisters, never mind the fact that she had ten children of her own to think about.
Jing taught us Chinese brush painting in the basement along side the air hockey table; (yup, it was a dreamy basement). She showed us how to make wontons and how to care for and dance with puppies. She had stories upon stories to tell us; her mental diary of her life in China. She would often tell us of her dream for all of us to go back to China, and looking back through her stories, I often feel like she took us there even though we never left that kitchen with yellow Formica kitchen table.
Jing never judges, she is always feeding whomever walks through that door, no matter how exhausting her day has been. She is ageless and ever so beautiful.
She has a laugh you could replay in your head over and over to keep yourself in a good mood. Her generosity is limitless. Her gift giving is always creative and just perfectly thought out for the recipient.
I celebrated my birthday on Monday and Jay emailed me this video of Jing that she recorded with her iPad.
(Bump your volume up for the full Jing effect!)
I’ve looked at it so many times, the way she tilts her head back when she laughs, the way she blinks her eyes. Jay and Jing are my heroes. Jing and Little Jing. They are my heart and soul. They are soulful and silly, nurturing and innocently naughty, thoughtful, and generous to unbelievable depths. I love them as mother and sister. Being on the west coast and Jay and Jing on the east coast, this video closed the distance and warmed my heart for one of the best birthday gifts ever. Thanks, Jay Jay, you always give just the right gifts.
Mmmmwahhhhh!
~Kristiana
That video was so great. It brought tears to my eyes to see Jay's mom and hear Jay's voice. I wish I could jump through the screen and give them both a big hug and kiss. It's these little moments that make life so amazing. Thanks :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, that Jing sure is a keeper. You know what that's all about, Lee...your Mom is the same. :)
ReplyDeleteYour mom is still so beautiful, inside and out. I will always remember her dancing with Butterball the golden shepherd pup that was her favorite. That moment is etched in my mind. What a loving, exciting and interesting home she created. It was a joy to be there.
ReplyDeleteThat memory of my Mom with Butterball is still crystal clear in my mind, too. That was her fav. I also remember her putting one puppy each in the pockets of her apron. That was waaay before anyone was overly conscious of sanitary cooking. :) She loved all of you Spaulding girls, Amy!
ReplyDeleteSo so priceless, Kris & JJ...thank you for sharing <3
ReplyDeleteOh Jay, how I wish we could get our Mom's together again. My Mom just loved your Mom so much. She has the best memories of sitting in your kitchen while your Mom was cooking up a storm. Yum! I have to remember to show this little video clip to my parents next time they are here. They will love it :)
ReplyDeleteLee, my Mom has the fondest memories of your Mom! I would love to reunite the two of them one day. XO
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