Joyuex Anniversaire, Ma Jolie Fille!
She's a child who was wished for, welcomed, treasured. But I had to leave her while she was still an infant and when I came back one-year later, I couldn't coax her away from her yaya. Somehow, the maternal bond had been broken. It took a while before I regained her trust and affection. And when I did, she clung to me like a barnacle to its rock! Now a mother herself but living far away from me, we nurture the bond with our occasional tête-à-têtes, times for just the two of us to gossip, enjoy a bread bowl of clam chowder, and engage in some serious talk.
Sadly, I've never forgiven myself for that breach. It still rankles. Maybe it has been with her, too. In childhood, she was nurturing other children younger than her, but she was in no hurry to have children of her own. High school and college went by without her getting into a relationship. Only when her career was firmly on track did she entertain a few suitors and picked one to marry. It took all of seven years for her to decide to start a family. At first, she thought she's fine with just having a career which, at that time, was gaining her prestige and plenty of money. Then she said there was still that much traveling she wanted to do, but finally, she admitted she was not so sure whether she would be a good mother. I couldn't help thinking if my having left her for one critical year may have soured her on motherhood.
After three pregnancies, one of which she lost, she emerged a dedicated mother who left behind a burgeoning career to devote her time to her son and daughter. On her 39th birthday last September 13, her dad and I drove for 3 hours to their Truckee mountain house to celebrate it with her. With her children in tow, we drove up to Reno, Nevada to have a birthday lunch at Atlantis' Toucan Charlie's Buffet & Grille for their Sauté & Grille, Carvery, Charcuterie, Far East, Pho, Sea Fare, Southwest, and Specialty Made-to-Order Salads. The selection was just too many for us, so we simply settled on their prime rib steak. The kids were thrilled to pick their favorites of homemade gelato and cotton candy at their Dessert Island. The waiters sang her a birthday song, much to her embarrassment. Good thing her kids sang her another one in French.
For a terrific mom and daughter deserving of all the great things she's been enjoying in life, I can only wish for more of the same. Happy birthday, Ying!
