The Richness of History
I received a most unexpected phone call yesterday. A call from my Dad informing me of the news that a distant family member - my cousin (we’ll call Dao) was in town.
The news caught me completely by surprise.
I first met Dao in Shanghai in mid 2002 - the period of my life where I found myself working and living in Hong Kong. Dao was in Shanghai on a conference from Washington, and somehow heard I was also in Shanghai.
Knowing my relationship with my grandmother, he managed to track me down, and string together what became an overwhelming and unforgettable experience – the gathering of many of my distant relatives, a tour of the village and house that I never knew existed: the home of my grandmother and great grandmother, the opportunity to have my family tree structured, and hear the stories of each individual – where they were, how the cultural revolution impacted their lives, and the decisions they made that led them to where they were today.
It was a time of many firsts. It was the first time I heard the heart and life of my grandmother from someone who knew her intimately. It was the first time I heard the mention of my great grandmother and learnt of her character.
It was also the first time I learnt of my grandfather, and came to discover the family in which he belonged. I learnt of his values, understood his choices, and came to know him as a person - his weaknesses and strengths.
I visited the village that shaped the lives of my ancestors; I walked through the home that housed three generations at one time - in a space designed for one. I met people I never knew existed. I learnt of a history that no longer felt far and removed.
To add to the emotional impact of the experience, the Chinese government had claimed ownership of the village and home. And a month after I left Shanghai it was scheduled to be demolished to make way for the 2010 World Expo.
The event, long buried in my memory got pulled out yesterday.
5 years on.
I’m meeting Dao for dinner tonight. Japanese! We haven’t seen or corresponded since our time together in 2002.
The news caught me completely by surprise.
I first met Dao in Shanghai in mid 2002 - the period of my life where I found myself working and living in Hong Kong. Dao was in Shanghai on a conference from Washington, and somehow heard I was also in Shanghai.
Knowing my relationship with my grandmother, he managed to track me down, and string together what became an overwhelming and unforgettable experience – the gathering of many of my distant relatives, a tour of the village and house that I never knew existed: the home of my grandmother and great grandmother, the opportunity to have my family tree structured, and hear the stories of each individual – where they were, how the cultural revolution impacted their lives, and the decisions they made that led them to where they were today.
It was a time of many firsts. It was the first time I heard the heart and life of my grandmother from someone who knew her intimately. It was the first time I heard the mention of my great grandmother and learnt of her character.
It was also the first time I learnt of my grandfather, and came to discover the family in which he belonged. I learnt of his values, understood his choices, and came to know him as a person - his weaknesses and strengths.
I visited the village that shaped the lives of my ancestors; I walked through the home that housed three generations at one time - in a space designed for one. I met people I never knew existed. I learnt of a history that no longer felt far and removed.
To add to the emotional impact of the experience, the Chinese government had claimed ownership of the village and home. And a month after I left Shanghai it was scheduled to be demolished to make way for the 2010 World Expo.
The event, long buried in my memory got pulled out yesterday.
5 years on.
I’m meeting Dao for dinner tonight. Japanese! We haven’t seen or corresponded since our time together in 2002.
There will also be a family gathering of sorts planned for the 22nd.
What fascinates me most is the timing.
The timing of how everything unfolded in Shanghai and Hong Kong still manages to leave me undone. Even as I recall it today.
It was something I could never have planned for.
I am curious to discover what I will learn this time round.
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