Returning to My Parents' Home

Towards the end of 1954, a few days before the lunar new year, a parcel arrived in Magong from my father in Lukang. Inside were sausage, new-year rice cake, and other gifts for his grandson. The letter was full of how much he missed our family. I missed Father too, and Grandmother—especially Grandmother. Since I married I had not seen her again. The happiness I have today is because she urged me to find courage and reach for it; I will never forget her kindness. I discussed it with my husband and said I wanted to take our child back to Lukang to see Father, Grandmother, my uncle and aunt, and Third Sister.

My husband understood and agreed at once to arrange the trip. A colleague told him we could apply for a military flight, so he gladly went to complete the paperwork. We waited until the end of March 1955 before the approval came through.

The round trip was planned for one month: fly from Magong to Tainan, train to Changhua, then transfer to Lukang. As the day drew near I was excited and nervous—soon I would see Father, Grandmother, and so many others; I could show everyone my lovely son and let them see what these years had brought me. I wished departure would hurry up. The day before the flight I packed our bags. I told my son, “Mama is taking you to Lukang to see Grandpa and many other people.” He understood only that we would fly, and was happy.

When the time came my husband saw us to the airport, reminding me along the way to be careful everywhere and come back safely.

It was my first time on a military aircraft and I was nervous, but in half an hour we were at Tainan airport. Everything went smoothly; by dusk we were home in Lukang.

Inside I found only my stepmother; Father was not there.

She said Father had not yet come back from work.

We talked a while. I heard Father calling at the back door. I hurried out to open it. His first words were, “About the gifts I sent your son—did you tell your mother?” I said, “No. I had just arrived and we had not got to the gifts yet.” He breathed easier and told me, “The money for what I sent—I told your stepmother your eldest sister gave me the cash to post on her behalf. If I had not lied, she would be furious and the house would not be peaceful.” My stepmother had always been stingy with us sisters. I understood Father’s difficulty and comforted him: “Don’t worry. I’ve only been back a short while and we haven’t said much yet, so nothing will come of it.” Only then did he relax and come inside with me.

Father had been later than us because he wanted to see his grandson and had gone straight from work by train to Changhua to meet us—only to find we were already home. Grandfather and Grandmother found their grandson sweet, sensible, and unafraid of strangers. He called “Grandpa” and “Grandma” in a honeyed voice. Grandfather was pleased and gave a red envelope as a meeting gift.

We settled in. By day I took my son around Lukang to visit kin and friends, and to Sifang Hospital to see the landlady. I told her my son was conceived in that house. She was glad and said, “Children born in our house grow up to do well.” The day after we left her place I went with Grandmother to Auntie’s home. Auntie was delighted to see the lovely boy and asked, “How many years have you been married?” I said four. The old lady said, “Do you still remember your sixth uncle-by-marriage said that if you married a mainlander and lasted three years, he would cut off his ears for you to cast as divination blocks? The three years are more than a year past—you can go ask him for his ears!” Everyone laughed.

Auntie’s memory was remarkable; she still remembered things from so long ago. After half a month in Lukang, uncle and aunt could see from me and the child that our family was getting on all right. The elders were reassured that I had not married the wrong man. Half the month was gone; I said goodbye to Grandmother, Father, my younger brother and sister, and took my son to Changhua and Hemei to find Third Sister.

We reached Third Sister’s at noon. Brother-in-law came out to meet us. Seeing the lovely boy with me he asked, “How old is the little fellow?” I said three. He could hardly believe it, because my son looked older than his age. Third Sister envied me for having a son on the first try; she had married two years before me and had three daughters in a row, and longed for a boy.

She asked, “The child is three—why not have another?” I told her, “After the miscarriage in Tainan there has been nothing. I want another child too, but if it won’t happen, it won’t.” She said, “Stay with us a few days; I’ll take you to a doctor.” I followed her plan and went to an obstetrics clinic in town. The doctor smiled after the examination and said, “No problem. I’ll prescribe medicine; go home and wait for good news.” Later I went to Taichung to see Cousin, her husband, and another cousin. Everyone was glad to meet; we had endless talk.

Cousin suggested we visit Taichung Park. My son and I had a fine time; we even took a commemorative photo at the park’s landmark pavilion. The month flew by.

With my son I said reluctant goodbyes all round.

We took the train to Tainan, then on to the airport. At the gate my husband’s nephew Guangxian was waiting for us. Meeting for the first time, he was delighted when the little boy called him Big Brother.

At noon he treated us to a full table of dishes—only two adults and one child; we could never finish it. Looking at the laden table was a pity.

We said goodbye to Guangxian and boarded. Half an hour later we were at Magong airport. My husband was already there.

The child was overjoyed to see Papa. My husband held him, took my arm, and we went home to Dongwei Li—ending a happy visit to my parents’ home.