Grandmother, unknown

To the Grandmother I never got to meet,

Wait, that's a lie. I met you once—on Tomb Sweeping Day many years ago, so long ago now that I can't remember your face. If I met you now, I would bow to you three times and thank you for giving me my mother.

There's a legend that you die twice—one when your body leaves this Earth and one when your name is said for the last time, your stories told for the last time. You didn't walk this Earth for long enough, so let me tell your stories.

I heard you were the bravest woman. When the Second World War was gearing up, your father sent you to Hong Kong to save you and your siblings. I heard that you walked all the way south, carrying your younger brother part of the way. I heard you never saw your family again, that you had to take care of your two brothers and one sister not because you were the eldest but because you were the most capable.

I'm older now than you would've been when you went south. Would you be proud of the woman your daughter has raised me to be? I don't know if I could ever be as brave as you were. But by knowing you through your stories, I feel braver. I feel braver because I know I come from a line of brave women.

I heard that when my uncle, your youngest, was a young boy, he came down with a life-threatening illness. I heard that you carried him on your back every day across the border and back to seek treatment. I heard your dedication saved him.

I want to thank you for teaching me from beyond the grave. Love is such an intangible thing until you made it tangible. Your love for my uncle saved him.

My mother's love for you taught me how I want to love. My mother told me about sitting by your bed for days, massaging your legs in hopes of easing your pain. I don't know very much about you, but I know you raised a daughter so selfless that she whispered that it was ok if it was your time to go, because leaving would mean an end to your pain. Your love lives through my mother every day.

It's so easy to love people you've never met. You never have to encounter their flaws and they never have to encounter yours. Would you be disappointed that I can't speak your language well? Or would you love me anyways, communication barriers and all? I like to imagine that you do look down at me and love me, flaws and all.

You are your ancestor's wildest dreams.

I wish that I knew what your dreams were. When you were young, did you want to study? When you were older, did you just want a life of peace? What would you think of Hong Kong today? Would you want to live in a quiet village or the bustling city centre? Did you ever allow yourself to dream? Did you ever dream of me? I hope that I could fulfil your dreams, and that I will.

I hope that your stories will never die, that your bravery and strength is told forever. But even if we forget them, your bravery is coded into the DNA that we pass on with each successive generation.

You are the toughest woman, the strongest woman, the bravest woman. I hope that you are able to be at peace now, where you don't have to be tough, strong, or brave.

Your stories have taught me that I can get through anything. I will never face a war the way you have, but the strength it took for you to survive lives through me. But most importantly, you gave me my mother who taught me about love, and for that, I am eternally grateful.

I wish I knew you, even if only for a few years. I wish you saw what your daughter made of herself. But one day I'll meet you and I hope that I am everything you hoped I could be.

Love always,

Your Granddaughter