More thoughts...

This is the first time I have to deal with the passing of a family member close up. I have been in the States for more than thirty years now. I have heard about the passing of some relatives back in Hong Kong over the years. To me they were distant memories. The only death that I shed a tear over was my younger uncle. I always remember him as a generous, even-tempered man who treated my younger aunt with respect.

It dawned on me that my three children met their uncle for the first time nine years ago, in the ICU of MetroHealth after his stroke. They were surprised to learn that they have a Uncle Emil. Over the years we paid him many visits first at St. Augustine Manor, then later on at Rae Ann Center. Emil, who spent most of his life prior in pursue of his dream in becoming a physician, discovered the joy of meeting and getting to know his two nieces, Danika and Kendra, and nephew Brendan. He literally saw them growing from kids to young adults.