June has been filled with memorable family and friends reunion. In this modern time of offloading memories to calendar, photos, videos and messaging, I wish I could keep the memories in my head and cherish them at heart.
My daughter finished 2nd year in college around end of April, and has 3 months of summer holiday. She spent May in Japan for international study and travel, before coming home for 2 weeks. The two weeks were filled with family time, and some fine dinings. I remember our hot pot dinners at home; the day trip to Napa Valley before enjoying a fine dining at the Farmhouse at Forestville; her belated gifts for my birthday and mother’s day; I remember taking care of her feet and her itchy hands; the good-bye hug at the airport as she headed back to college for some part-time jobs. It is another phase of parenthood, where we are connected with our children but are separate from each other most of the year.
After my daughter returned to college, I made a short trip to Hong Kong. Better planning has allowed for more gatherings this time. Getting together with high school friends was fun and heartwarming; it reminded me, time could be a non-factor in friendship, friends remain friends. The college class reunion reminded me where I belonged, and we had great conversations around technology, parenting and retirement. I have not seen some ex-coworkers of my first job for years, and it was so pleasing to know our acquaintances sustained over the years.
Many friends are at similar phase in life. A few of us would experience an empty-nest in a year or two, some has started their retirement years, others have their own healthy hobbies. Maybe we think we are special and unique, but in reality, we are going through similar life phases like many others.
For many of my recent trips to Hong Kong, the primary goal has been family more than friends. Hospital and nursing homes would not be the place of choice for get together, but I ended up spending a good amount of time, and seeing many of my siblings that way. Aside from that, we had our gatherings around various meals. It was a satisfying trip to have meaningful get together with all the siblings, and close relatives. Aside from the “routines”, it was very special to have a 2-hour stroll at the very beautiful Unesco global geological park at Sai Kung. Even more special is that I finally checked off a bucket list item with a purchase of what would become an heirloom in this trip.
As family and friends become less loaded with career pursuit and family responsibilities, I look forward to more get together in the years to come.
Such a memorable trip has been exhausting both mentally and physically. I slept mostly on my long flight back.
A few days back home, my son had a scheduled oral surgery to remove all wisdom teeth in one take, sparing him all future expenses around wisdom teeth.
I remember this month of June.
oliviatamccue 
Leave a comment