The Food That Made Me

Hi Niece #1,

I just wanted to wish you an early happy birthday because I’m not sure if you’ll be checking email much in Taiwan. You are double digits! I am so proud of you for so many reasons.

You started as the niece who hated me (based on the number of times that you slapped me and hit me away when you were an infant.) But, #2 also had that phase. Hopefully, that is also just a phase for #3 (less sure about this one). However, we also had a lot of fun moments when you were younger. We blew giant bubbles with your wands and watched them fly away. We ran around and played at all of the parks at your old house. And, I loved the times that I got to tuck you into bed and sing my favorite Cantonese animal song to you. Tears that none of you guys know it by memory though.

When you guys moved away, I started a new chapter in life with your Auntie. I switched from knowing all of the details of your life and playing with you every day to seeing you guys once a week. I’m so happy that we get to pick you up from class and go visit Foxy. I’m so happy now that we get to learn things like gardening and cooking together. I love the times that we get to play games like Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza and Sleeping Queens, although there are times that you slap me a little too much which brings back memories from when you were younger. And, I love how you love Emi and play with her so well and how you take babysitting so seriously. Yes, she is my first daughter. She is my pride and joy.

I love watching you in Chinese school and I am amazed at the level of Chinese they are teaching you already. I am so happy to see that you play so well with your friends and they all just adore you. And, I love watching you dance on the stage and compete because you are amazing and all of your hard work shows.

Before you needed my help with swimming in Santa Barbara, today you swim so much better than me. Before you drew the wonkiest smiley faces, today your paintings are beautiful. And, before there was so much crying and fighting with #2, today you holding hands with #2 and love and hug #3. #2 says that “it is ok #1 is my big sister and she knows the way,” all of this makes me feel that you have grown up so much.

I wish that I was more patient with you though. Sorry for yelling at you more than I did with #2 and #3. Hopefully I will be more patient with your future cousins.

Happy Birthday. I am so proud of you. I can’t wait to continue watching you grow up.

Love,

Kau Fu (Uncle Jonathan)