My Papaya
“Poh poh” in Chinese means the maternal grandmother. However, in Australian English, it sounds like the fruit papaya - paw paw. So we find it kind of amusing that my mother is a fruit!
To say that she is a proud grandmother is an understatement. In fact, I have never seen my mother so smitten by kids (or by anyone – not even my Dad!). Michael just melts her heart. After going back to work, I have asked my Mom to come and check on Michael a couple times a week … and, of course, she has loads of fun with Michael too. Mind you, Poh Poh had to follow my strict schedule (or else she is not allowed to come!). Although she has been scolded at for not following the schedule (as monitored by May our helper!), my Mom is definitely getting the hang of it. She now knows when Michael should play, feed or sleep. When it is time to play, my Mom gets very creative – playing Michael Chinese Opera and showing the forbidden TV (which Michael loves!).
Last week, when Ian and I had to go to Macau for a work conference, my Mom stayed overnight to look after Michael. My motherly instinct called and checked on them every few hours while I was away … but I can tell they had fun. My Mom discovered that Michael liked standing on the kitchen table top and being “gooed and gahhed”. He enjoyed the bath & wipe that my Mom gave him and laughed so hard! Michael was an angel who behaved as he should.
Most of you know that I was never very close to my Mom but having Michael really connected me with her in a very different way. I have never seen her passionate side until now and it is so heartening to see her love her first grandchild as much as she does. And I guess this is her way of showing her love to me also.
I know it’s a little early for Mother’s Day sentiment, but my hats off to my Mom! This is an old photo of them – but you can see why my mom is crazy about Michael!
Until next time, I will have some photos posted. Happy Chinese New Year! It’s the year of the rat!
Love from Hong Kong.
