I knew I wanted to write something on this but I wasn’t, and still don’t think, I’m sure of exactly what angle to go down. I’ll try not to ramble, but apologise in advance if I do. Here goes!
When my Grammy passed away it was a major blow for me. I have so many memories of that woman from every stage of my life. She definitely wasn’t your average Grandma, as a kid she would properly play with me, whatever I wanted to do, even if that involved rolling around the floor. Then as I got older she’d come into my room, sit on the end of my bed and just talk with me for hours.
With her came a huge part of who I am. Being a teeny tiny Chinese woman (you’d have to bend down to hug her) originally from Hong Kong, she introduced me to delicious food – and some not so delicious – Chinese New Year, the story of how each animal got its order in the calendar, little red envelopes, and the importance of knowledge, being able to adapt and live by myself when I need to. She came to the UK with my grandad, who I unfortunately never met as he died before I was born, my uncle and my at-the-time 12 year old mum.
*PS. I can’t tell you how much I LOVE this outfit! ^^
Now I didn’t know any of this till later on in my life, but this adorable, sweet lady wasn’t immune to bullies. She would make my grandad go to my mum’s school events alone, as she didn’t want my mum and her brother to be known as half Chinese and treated any differently from their fully English counterparts, she wanted them to be as British as possible. I know this was a different time, but learning this didn’t soften the blow when this 92 year old woman refused to leave the house during COVID after seeing another elderly Asian woman being attacked on the news.
I’ve never experienced anything like this, as you can see, if I wasn’t telling you I was quarter Chinese right now I bet you would never have even guessed. People often don’t believe me when I tell them. I have very much taken most, if not all, of my genes from my father’s side.
Being ridiculously British has meant that several things, particularly jewellery, that my Grammy tried to give me over the years have been far too small. After her passing, my mum told me about a ring that I was destined to have and although I was very grateful and would treasure it regardless, I couldn’t help but feel a bit saddened that I would more than likely never be able to wear it.
Shortly after my 30th birthday my mum presented me with said ring and I was in absolute awe. She had managed to find a jeweller that would resize the ring 5 sizes bigger – I don’t know if that says my hands are ridiculously big or hers were ridiculously small. Either way, look at it! It fits!
It’s rather large, definitely not an every day ring – I’d take someone’s eye out with the size of that Citrine! But I am so happy to have something really special of hers, it was a gift given to her by my grandad. I can look down at it and remember who I am, where I come from and the legacy of my beautiful little Grammy.
*She helped me out at uni, posing in one of my photoshoots.^^
Thank you Grammy, for everything you were and everything you’ve left behind. I miss you, I will always love you, and one day I will see you again.
