Have a good evening everyone, see you tomorrow. Very much appreciated all your support especially the one kindly offer me a original Philly sandwich!

Salute by my Niece Jeannie, her husband Kevin and family
Our Matriarch's Umbrella by Uncle George
Our Guardian Angel by Uncle John
Tribute by my Cousin 練練 + Mike's 讀後感
禱告 by Cousin 周天, 姊妹情在 by Cousin Nancy
大舅媽, my Cousin George King's tribute
Participant's List (as of 5/12/22); Family Tribute Agenda (Final)
For directions of join Livestream and (Zoom) see Program (Final)
Place your message in the Guestbook 留言簿
Upcoming: Uncle John's response!?&$@# He will address that publicly tomorrow.

母后大人，還有，小舅未出聲更正也該連坐一併罰，由小瑾代為點燈，照路。還...還有，蕭齊和小瑾，送她倆每人一個保齡球，是否合您意？快送出半打了唄！

母后大人，小胖打小報告，三舅說他昨晚戴錯了帽子，把您當年費心為他張羅的人生大事都丟到腦殼後面去了。

小胖請示是否由蕭齊頂罪罰她供奉一份您最愛吃的 Philly Cheesesteak sandwich 路上好充飢？

蕭齊, I want this one

母后大人，希望您會喜歡這些曲子，陪伴著走一程，wear only low heels please!

嫌吵就知會一聲容小胖幫您靜音。

Life goes on without pausing. I guess it's my turn now. So be it! Let it be...

Our Matriarch's Umbrella by uncle George

蕭家兄弟姊妹分別43年後,1992年大哥家裘來美,五兄弟姐妹在加州⻄來寺`(Hsi Lai Temple) 上香紀拜在臺北已故父母親。

照片由左至右:家裘大哥,家珍二姐,家韞大姐,家瑜四弟,家駒三弟。(可惜家琛二哥在上海未能和大家相聚)

by Mike: 別擔心，二舅，就算你在天涯海角，母后大人照樣拿傘替你擋雨，她老人家已經在下圖玫瑰陵的佛塔中放了六個牌位包括外公、外婆、大舅和你以及小胖的父母，每週六早上，和尚定時頌經祈福。

二舅，小胖要是你會仔細想想再過幾天碰到大小姐時該怎麼辦？你姪子練練說的，大舅也救不了你！

Sisters

The pair of flowers on the Chi-Pao speak for themselves

Grandparents' family time at Shanghai?

Everybody else is listening: Mom is chatting with uncle Georgesounds like a commercial AD

Our Guardian Angel Laura (姊姊) by 小瑜

As the matriarch of the Hsiao-Bao family, 大姊 always looked out for all of us. After our parents passed away, she took care of her little brothers as if we were her own children. If it was not for 大姊, none of us would be who we are today. I bet she is still looking out for us from heaven.

My most favorite memories are the ones from our family reunions. We always had fun remembering old times and making new memories. When I think of 大姊, I will think of these times fondly.

From Left to right:

小舅, Jinny 小瑾, 小舅妈, Tammy 小瑶.

三舅、媽媽、大舅、二姨、小舅

SOS DaGu! This time It's YinYin, not LiuLiu, Giving me a Hard Time by 練練

Hi Mike,

It just so happened that MY eldest sister find a misspelled character in the passage I just sent, so she made correct it. I guess this tradition comes from our genes. 😀

Andrew

从左至右:

Lou, 萧莹（莹莹），大舅媽竟吾，凯凯，六六，大舅，练练，黛黛

忆大姑

值先父驾鹤十五载之际，惊悉大姑妈仙逝，一时思绪万千。愿以此只字片语缅怀逝者，聊表哀思。　

吾辈姐弟三人自幼在北京长大，至弱冠之年方得见大姑。自幼时起，我对旅居国外的长辈们的印象大多来自于父亲珍藏的老照片。依稀记得，儿时的我总盼着父母把床下的两只樟木箱子取出来，因为里面有些很新奇的玩意儿：毛茸茸的大衣和一只带着狐狸头的围巾 – 父亲说那是祖母留下的传家宝。我最爱摆弄这条狐狸头围巾，因为可以用它来吓哭平常管束我甚严的二姐六六，屡试不爽。但我最好奇的却是箱子里的老照片：照片里是我们从未谋面的祖父，祖母，大姑，二姑，三叔和四叔，以及我们最喜欢的远在上海的二叔。父亲时常摸索着这些照片给我们讲述他幼时在上海南京的悠闲，少年时代在重庆的艰难，以及重返沪上的潇洒青春，但至此故事也就中断了。每每讲到最后，父亲总是再三叮嘱我这些话是不能讲给外边小朋友们听的。所以我那时总不禁怀疑这些故事和人物是否真实。照片里的祖母、大姑和二姑衣着华丽，仪态优雅，我猜想或许她们其实是电影画报里的人物。

直到1982年三叔第一次到访北京，之后我又陆续见到了二姑，三叔，四叔，才意识到这一切竟是真的。从长辈们口中，我们方才知道父亲自小竟是家中说一不二的大少爷；而唯一能管住这位大少爷的仅家中大小姐（大姑）一人耳。一次大少爷早上闲来无事，吩咐家中厨师把所有会做的点心逐一做出来供他品尝。厨师一筹莫展之际，大小姐只一句：“哪有那么多事儿，做几个包子就可以了。”这则故事是二叔和三叔讲给我们听的。时至今日我还能想起他们脸上欢愉的笑容。

大姑妈秀外慧中，天资聪颖，毕业于重庆南开中学，于弟妹们更是面命耳提。父亲时常说“长姐如母，” 盖因他自小受教于大姑，对他的人生和事业裨益殊多。他曾经说过他小时候的数学是大姑所教授，也是跟随大姑进了南开中学。所以父亲对大姑，大姑父特别尊重，每每与他们通信时字迹力求工整。某次父亲错写一字，竟然将整封信重新誊写一遍。我问原因时，父亲笑而不答。现在想来是大姑自幼对他的严格要求吧。父亲在我们心中是神一样的存在，而在大姑心中他大概只是永远的大弟弟，小京。　

我于９０年代来到美国，彼时方初见大姑，这竟已是２０多年前的事了。　大姑与大姑夫开了很远的车来看我，让我十分感动。看着大姑妈雍容大方，大姑夫高大英挺，就能想象出他们年轻时意气风发的样子。大姑妈举止温文尔雅，说话娓娓动听，仿佛电影明星一般。她很关心我的事业和生活，给了我一些很好的建议。

时光荏苒，上一辈的经历令人不胜唏嘘。萧氏家族的悲欢离合好似半部中国现代史。想来大姑妈，大姑夫，父亲，母亲，二叔此刻已于天国欢聚。或许大少爷在跟大姐夫学太极拳，亦或是在麻将桌上一决高下。他们一生经历了太多的悲欢离合，生离死别，如今终于可以安享他们旧日的宁静时光了。

练练　　５月10日　于康州纽黑文

讀後感 by Mike

讀完練練寫的，立刻回了一封電郵，說特別有感，字裡行間充滿人情味且帶著幽默，其實後頭一句是客套話，有感才是真的，因為小胖突然間恍然大悟，大舅天不怕地不怕就怕她，二舅為啥不肯來美國了，不就是因為天高皇后遠，樂得逍遙自在嘛。

這兩天又發覺到一些泛黃照片，每一張都有個故事，先貼一張當示範，小舅要不要照圖説書講一段? 就當是對她的感念。

Barb & Jeff must be very interested trying to find out what was Aunt Laura planning to do about 50 years ago @ Taipei?

小胖覺得蹊蹺，明明就是大姊手上捧著🌹，領著老公，手裡提著禮品，帶著小弟，兩手空空，來到銅安街拜訪葉家長輩，一方面請安，一方面替三弟撮合姻緣唄。到了這把年紀很容易張冠李戴，故事亂編一通，怎生是好，這網站得「立馬」找個人接棒才是、才是。有沒回音？

三舅傳訊：由左到右: 姐夫，家瑜，葉伯母，大姐，葉伯伯。

1962 年家瑜離臺赴加拿大深造，他們去機場送行。葉伯母和葉伯伯是寄若的爸媽 (我的丈母娘和老丈人)

一定是有人找救兵去了，不知是哪一個？

大舅媽 by George King

I noticed that the tribute webpage for your mom has really expanded since Mike first sent it out about 2 weeks ago. It's a lovely tribute to 大舅媽. And I am sure she would have been very pleased with what you guys have created.

I wish I had the opportunity to get to know 大舅媽 more to be able to share any personal anecdotes or interesting stories with your families. Unfortunately, the simple fact is that I had really no direct contact

with her during my years in Taipei and afterwards in NA we had met again only on a few occasions. By all accounts, she was the family matriarch who in her twenties and thirties, given the circumstances at the time, had to take on the role of caring for all her younger siblings. I can not imagine the burdens and challenges she and 大舅舅 must have faced during those early years in Taiwan, as they both had to assume the role of the head of their respective families. My mother did not tell us much about the events from those early years in Taiwan, but she always remembered and was grateful for how 大舅舅 had took care of her and the family during that time.

I knew very little about the maternal side of your family, so I am glad for the opportunity to learn a bit more about it through the tribute website. I know that the past few weeks must have been very busy for you guys, it looks like everything is ready and in place for the service / celebration tomorrow. With all the work you guys have put into it, I am confident that it will be a rewarding and successful event.

by Mike: When I was little, during our Chinese New Year family get together festival, cousin George's parents always call me Pang-Pang left (Long), Pang-Pang right (short), sounds funny but felt warm hearted.

Our Matriarch is the "one" standing behind cousin George's 大舅舅 providing all embracing support to his family members same as to her siblings.

金姑爹、一芝、父親（大哥）、二娘娘、一玲、一輝 George

姑爹和二娘娘是小胖十分懷念的爸爸家族的成員

人不在姊妹情在 by nancy

親愛的大姨，我們敬愛的大家長，您永遠都活在我們的心中，謝謝大姨給我們家的愛心與支持。

我們對您的離去，有很多的不捨，我們紀念您，我向上帝禱告，祝福您，不論您在何處，天涯海角，願創造天地萬物的神都保護看顧您，光照您！

老虎敬上

by Mike: 周天老虎，是二姨的長子

“ 妹子⋯妹子⋯ ＂坐在餐廳聽到大姨在後巷二樓叫我，趕緊開了後門問大姨什麼事？雖然兩家都有電話，還是不如這樣叫的舒暢、快捷、親切又直接。金門街後巷的鄰居都知道有＂妹子＂這號人。

要來美國了，媽媽決定把金門街的房子賣掉，心想總得上市一段時日，最好能挨到出國前左右脫手，誰知道人算不如天算，腦子還沒轉過來，就有人出現金買下，慘了，怎麼辦？我還有將近半年才畢業，不得已、只有租房子住了。大姨不准、一定要我們三人（媽媽、我、周周）住到臨沂街大姨、姨爹的家。我們有些擔心因為大姨太愛乾淨了。沒想到，我們住的很無拘束，一直住到上飛機赴美。

從我10歲開始就嚐到了＂人在人情在＂的冷酷世界，爸爸為國犧牲了，原本常來往於家中的好友、親朋都不再往來密切、能避就避、深怕被麻煩到，只有大姨（姨爹都聽大姨的）伸出更多的援手、関愛，支撐著不知所措的媽媽，這就是雨打雷霹都打不倒的姊妹情。外公、外婆真會教孩子、譲兄弟姊妹之間的友愛、親切到如此。

妹子敬上

by Mike: 妹子是二姨的大女兒，也是老人家心中的一塊寶，或許你熟悉上一代的人與事，她倆有點像美齡和孔二小姐的關係，媽媽又找到一位可以接收保齡球的人選勒！

至於 Quote Nancy 寫的: ”姨爹都聽大姨的”，小胖也覺得耳熟能詳⋯只是沒這個膽子明地裡指指點點。

老虎 standing next to me & just a few steps (days) ahead of me. However, He is a Tiger and I'm a Rabbit!

Nancy is the one standing on the 1st left

One w/ Impeccable Taste by 鮑欣

Grandma was amazing. She had impeccable taste. She loved the Lakers, and her favorite pastime was destroying men and women half her age in Bingo. Our favorite pastime was watching her put my dad, aka Beastie Jr., in his place. He, like everyone else, was no match for her.

We love you Grandma. We are thankful for the life and love you have given us. May we continue forward in your light forever.

Love,

Cindy

Cindy is the one sitting next to her grandma

Oh Oh, She've got my genes, a vicious tongue!

Our Matriarch (1), 棄子保局 by 小胖

象棋有個術語：棄卒保車；圍棋有個術語：「棄」「子」搶先，其實就是保住其它的棋子，「保」住勝「局」。母親對它們沒興趣，因爲太繁瑣，容易陷入舉棋不定的泥沼。母親五子棋技藝不差，偶爾興緻來了，陪小胖下個幾把，三兩下就解決了，年輕時總是她的手下敗將。她雖不下圍棋，卻深知棄子保局之道，請問各位女仕和男士：誰是哪一顆送給關帝當義子的棄子？誰又是她一生愛護關照過的無數顆棋子？

從牌桌上看個性，父親慢半拍，左挑右選像在擺龍門陣，老半天挑不出一個張子可打，母親一向阿沙力，果斷明決，進張出張一瞬間的事，從不計較輸贏，純娛樂，還喜歡打帶保的，花樣越新鮮，越願意嘗試。請問各位女仕：她是否超越妳認識的大多數男人，俱備 Matriarch 的必要條件之一？

Place your answer in the Guestbook.

Whose genes have I inherited?

my Little Cousin 周周 by Mike

The little girl sat with an intriguing and assured posture in front of my Mom 50+ years ago, is celebrating mother's day surrounded by her own lovely family now.

She enthusiastically designed the posthumous photo frame for her big Aunt. Quote: Mom said no need to say thanks among family members especially to my 2nd Aunt's children, just carve it into your heart.

From left to right: Conner Pao 鮑璽喆(17), Hunter Pao 鮑璽安 (24), Julie Chow 周周, Ted Pao 鮑正德 & Dillon Pao 鮑璽堯 (19).

by Mike: Thanks Julie for your warm devotion to our "Matriarch"!

I've just noticed that the little one mimic Mom's posture, look at those feet? She may be a good candidate to carry the 2nd bowling ball. I guess she already has.

蹲著的是小叔叔，孟德和孟宏的父親。
坐著的是：媽媽、祖母、祖父、友人
站著的是：小娘娘、二叔叔、三娘娘、爸爸、二娘娘、三叔叔

by Mike: 小叔叔和三舅、小舅年齡相仿，常互動，偶爾也會帶著我ㄧ塊兒出遊。父親是長子，男人不擅家務事、不夠細緻（即使點了還不見得透），所以小叔叔有困難總找媽媽幫忙，依樣視大嫂如母，當年[他]ㄧ哭二鬧三點點，害的老媽大發慈心，小嬸嬸就是、就是她老人家費盡心思促合成的，孟德和孟宏或許至今尚不知情。多磕幾個頭，不嫌多。

媽媽第二次顯示她有識人之明，孟宏是個 "好孩子"，鮑家下ㄧ代的接棒人，保齡球可以交到他手上，老人家聽到孟宏結尾寫的四句話，一定很欣慰，至少鮑家這頭的一個擔子可以安心放手勒！

孟蓀不材在此向孟宏致意。

(請寄一張全家福來，代問候小嬸嬸。有二叔、三叔和小姑兒女們的音訊請即刻告知，可寫在留言簿中。)

感謝大伯母 by 孟宏一家，孟德

Bon Voyage to Aunt Laura by Jeff 蕭治 & Vani 梵妮

My wife Vani and I wanted to convey our deepest condolences. It's never easy to lose a parent no matter our age.

I remember Aunt Laura had such a great presence about her. My father (George) always looked up to her, and cherished how she took care of her siblings and the rest of her family. Your mother was truly an amazing person.

Please allow me to say bon voyage to Aunt Laura via video conference. Our thoughts are with you.

The first role from left : Vani, Jeffrey’s wife ( 梵妮), Jeffrey (蕭治) with their dog (Asher), Mira (蕭霓)

The second role from left: Carina (蕭虹), Rohan (蕭承)

Rohan is the eldest son, Carina and Mira are un-identical twin, while Carina is a few minutes older.

美丽时尚的大姑妈 by 莹莹

家人搬去台湾以后，在 30 多年里，我父亲都不能和他的兄弟姐妹通信。偶尔，父亲会拿出来一些老照片给我们看。照片中的大姑，卷头发，穿旗袍和高跟鞋，在一个小孩子的眼里，她就像个上海的电影明星一样美丽时髦。

第一次见到大姑是 1997 年，在妹妹六六的婚礼上。老人家依然是卷头发，穿高跟鞋，礼服 bling bling 的。依然像电影明星一样时尚优雅。

后来我定居在温哥华。大姑开始经常打电话关照我。每次在电话中她都要一遍遍叮嘱我：加拿大天气冷，要多穿衣服。工作不要太辛苦了，要注意保养身体。

亲爱的大姑，谢谢您多年来对我们每一个人的关心照顾。也谢谢您教会我如何优雅的，从容的，充满活力的，时尚前卫的老去。所有美好的回忆都永远留存在我们的心中。相信您正在美丽的天宫享受着宁静祥和。

侄女莹莹敬上

YinYin Drop in for a visit

从左至右:

凯凯，黛黛， Lou，萧纹（六六），萧派 (派派)，萧琢（练练），梦涛，萧汐诺 (诺诺)

怀念表姐 by 小璈

家韞表姐，百龄升仙。

素未谋面，唯存一函。

历十五载，手泽如新。

尤可叹者，珍书所及，恰关拙拟哀思家裘表哥陋文。

表哥远足，表姐化鹤，睹墨思人，能不怆悢！

梅小璈上

壬寅年四月八日 2022.5.8

母親的筆跡，彌足珍貴，家書抵萬金！

謝謝表舅

小胖敬上

怀念家韞大表姐 by 小侃

蓓蓓，你好！

我是小侃，叫我Helen好啦。家韞大表姐去世，我很难过，但相信她现在一定是在一个极乐世界，和表姐夫一起过着平安喜乐的日子。我在1982年12月去她家看过她和表姐夫，Mike一家也在，我们还一起去了一个很漂亮的公园，附上当时的几张照片，以表达我们深深的怀念！

小侃

說實在的，東想西想就是記不起來和小侃阿姨見過面的這一件事，卻有相片為證，那麼只有這個可能，Helen 站在媽媽和二姨的後面，戴著和小左同樣的一副太陽眼鏡，任誰也搞不清楚狀況，因此小胖以無罪定論！父親看起來特別英挺！

Helen reply: Mike说他不记得见过我，我倒是对那次聚会记得很清楚。大表姐说话的神态、语气都是典型的“萧家人”，表姐夫风度翩翩。那天我没有跟Mike合影，因为照片都是他拍的，除了一张里面有他，那是我拍的。我戴的墨镜是小左的，她说戴上很cool。

原來是她出的點子，哪就不足為奇矣！

Miss You Dearly by 萍萍

大伯母,

萍萍非常想念您, 相信您現在和主耶穌在一起, 得到主的眷顧, 化身天使.

萍萍敬上

蓓蓓姐,看大家寫的，好感動啊：那年去洛杉磯拜訪大伯母，大伯父時,受到他們慇勤的招呼，大伯母做了一桌好菜,每一碟都是手工菜,要花很多時間和工夫的,好好吃喔！現在想起來還是懷念不已。謝謝你寄來的舊照片，對他們有無盡的思念在這悲傷的時期，希望你多保重，這樣大伯母才會安心呀！

Memorable Photo provided by 瑩瑩

Writing posted under 美丽时尚的大姑妈 by 莹莹

2005, Big Uncle's 80 year Birthday Party

六六大順 - 1 = 五福臨門

See, my Dear 2nd Uncle, this time you’re really out of luck: 3 on this side, 2 on that side, and from this point on, you’re on your own.

藏在母親心裏的事 by Mike

她最不放心的是我的姊姊和二姨，她和大舅一家在美相遇圓滿的了結了一個多年的盼頭，她有一陣子最牽掛人在上海不聽話的二舅，我偷偷地準備了一個結實的長棍子等著適當的時機拿出來給她出氣用，沒能如願，她對三舅的成就最感到寬慰與驕傲，好像還漏了一位無聲有息的小舅，她對他也無技 (計)可施，她對他所費的心思遠遠超過對小胖，只等來日再說唄。

她這一輩子好像是來還債的，落地時想必嚎啕大哭，如今課業修完，可以開開心心的與天上的親友們和父親團聚，和大姑雲遊世界，和二姑話家常，太美好了，多留她一分鐘都嫌太過自私。

當然她和小胖讀高中時就有了心照不宣的默契，她把兒子託付給了關公，從此以後，她可以全權關注親友與晚輩們。暗裡，母子相知就好，明裡，她對兒子只有一個微不足道的要求：送終時得在場。

顯然，老人家有識人之明。小胖服勒！

A Tale of Two Visits by Barbara Silber (蕭齊)

I have many memories about my Aunt Laura’s visits to our house in Delaware. One of the more unusual memories was during her 1973 visit (see Photo 1), when I was in the second grade. On this occasion, I accompanied my father on the journey to New York City to pick up Aunt Laura, Uncle John, and Aunt Quinta from the airport. As luck would have it, my dad’s huge 1970s Ford Grand Torino got a flat tire on the NJ Turnpike. The way I remember it, I wasn’t scared since I was with four very capable Hsiao adults, all of whom were in the prime of their youth at the time. That said, I do remember being just a tiny bit concerned as the sunset turned into evening darkness, and about exactly how the tire was going to get changed. I also remember telling Aunt Laura about my school, my teacher, and probably some of my friends as we waited. After what seemed like forever to a second grader (but probably not very long at all), the tire was fixed, and we were back on the road headed towards home.

Ever since I was young, I always knew that my Aunt Laura cared about my dad very, very much and that my dad also cared about my Aunt Laura very, very much. Eventually, I learned that the reason for this was because my Aunt Laura watched over her younger brothers while they were growing up. But, it wasn’t until many years later when I finally understood what that meant. In 2002, my husband Greg and I visited Aunt Laura, Uncle Bernard, Julie, and Jack after a wedding in LA on Greg’s side. Although Greg and I had spent time with Aunt Laura on several prior occasions, our 2002 visit was different since it wasn’t a multi-family function (see Photo 2).

As luck would have it, Greg and I became terribly lost enroute to Aunt Laura’s house. Shortly after calling her to ask for more guidance, Greg and I were able to quickly find where we needed to turn. Why? Because much to our surprise and great relief, waiting for us at the entrance into

her neighborhood was Aunt Laura! During our telephone conversation, Aunt Laura must have sensed that for some reason we were repeatedly missing the necessary turn, so Aunt Laura installed the one thing that we would definitely recognize, herself.

In hindsight, my guess is that Aunt Laura sensed that I was probably more anxious than I realized during the flat tire adventure so many years ago.

Photo 1 (L-R): My dad (George), Aunt Laura, Aunt Quinta, and Uncle John in Delaware, 1973. (The visit that began with a flat tire adventure).

Photo 2 (L-R): Julie, Greg, Barbara, Aunt Laura, and Uncle Bernard, 2002. (The visit that began when Greg and I got lost and Aunt Laura found us.)

(Cont'd from left bottom)

Dear Aunt Laura: Thank you for taking care of my dad and all of the Hsiaos. Most of all, thank you for helping me understand that keeping watch is not just about keeping someone safe, it is also about helping them find their way.

Affectionately your niece, Barbara

END

Adults are Funny by Mike

When I was a kid, I frequently thought adults are funny and the same as my Mom and Dad. After working a whole day in the post office, they come home looked tired. After dinner, however, the two will rush out again to attend language classes. After two more hours, they finally come back home and starts having a cumbersome dialogue with each other either in French or Germany and then laughing at each other for the awkward pronunciation they just made.

I thought Chinese is the most profound language, why they act so silly. Until I grow up, I finally realize that life is a non-stop learning & surviving process. The more you learn, the better you are prepared for the challenge. When I hear the song C'est Si Bon one day, it clicked. It remains me about the way Mom and Dad used to support each other ...

So, let me devote three songs for them: The1st song is to congratulate and wish them happily reunited after a long separation. The 2nd & 3rd songs are to give them a language test. So click and enjoy these music.

Who's Who

To Laura By George & Juliet

On one warm bright spring day,Quietly, you left,You brought with you the countless wonderful memories.
At far away crossroads,You look back ninety-eight years of life,You smiled,“Yes, I am so glad I took a trip to this world”.
Rest in peace, Laura, we will miss you.

George and Juliet

大姐 — 家韞 by 家駒

我們蕭家兄弟姊妹六人, 大姐家韞,大哥家裘, 二姐家珍,二哥家琛, 我老五家駒,⺓弟家瑜。我們兄弟姐妹手足情深,大姐對我們的照顧和関懐有如父母,所以向來我們對大姐是特別尊敬,可惜我們兄弟姐妹自對日抗戰結束後七十多年來,聚少離多,如今大哥、二哥已去世十年餘,衹剩下二姐在加州, 家瑜在加拿大 Ottawa,我在 Delaware。目前二姐身體欠佳,近幾年一直都沒見過面。
抗戰時期, 我們一家在四川重慶,雖在日機轟炸之下,但一家團聚,童年的歡樂記憶猶新。1945年抗戰勝利 ,父親奉命去長春接受偽滿郵政,母親和我們兄弟姐妹六人回上海定居。當時大姐⺒在上海郵政儲金滙業局工作,家裡大小事由大姐和大哥管理。大姐和伯玉兄在上海結婚,接著大姐夫去台灣辦理軍郵, 大姐隨行去了臺灣工作。1948年底 ,母親為了招顧大姐分娩,去了臺灣。1949年5月中,二姐、家瑜和我離開上海到臺灣和母親相聚。大哥、二哥仍留在上海, 因為他們不久將大學畢業 (大哥交大大四,二哥聖紐約翰大三) 。但我們從此和他們分開了近卅五年。
在台灣,母親、二姐、家瑜和我都住在臺北大姐家。二姐結婚後去嘉義組織她自己的家庭。1951年父親也展轉由廣州來臺,到郵政總局和交通部報到,但不幸1953年2月中風於5月底逝世。在此期間因母親多病, 家瑜和我年幼, 所以一切由大姐照顧。家瑜和我可以説是和蓓蓉、孟蓀一起在臺灣長大。我在臺灣由初三到大學畢業受軍訓,然後於1959年聖誕節離臺赴美。家瑜由小學到大學畢業受軍訓。然後於1962年離開臺灣到加拿大深造。我們兄弟兩人在臺灣期間,大姐對我們的関懷和教導,終生難忘。
大姐自幼聰明靈俐,她在重慶最有名的南開中學讀書,她不但在學校讀書出色,高中時她已可以替英文老師代課教南開初中的初級英文。她又勇於負責,一些事務可以處理得有條有理,也因此她在事業上頗有成就,在臺北的郵政總局,一步步升遷到會計處主任。在家相夫教子, 照顧父母, 愛護弟妺,一切家務事攏在一身,是真正的家庭支柱。我們慶幸有這麼一位能幹、可敬、可愛的大姐。她會永遠在我們的思念之中!
最後趁此機會, 我代表二姐和家瑜感激蓓蓉、珍麟和孟蓀、皎如對我們大姐多年來細心的照顧以及對你們母親虔敬的孝心。

Dear 2nd Uncle By Mike

You're in big trouble! Mom is on her way to give you a hard time: not listening to her advise, not taking care of yourself, staying single and not willing to cross the Pacific ocean and united with your siblings, and so on...
Listen to me carefully: Either you buy a ticket bound to North slope or gracefully accept Mom's hand pick of my upcoming 2nd Aunt.
I'm praying and praying for you!
Hi grandma, I miss you dearly. Yours Little Chubby

Each generation happily passes on the torch, no sweat!

Our Matriarch's Umbrella by uncle George

Our Guardian Angel Laura (姊姊) by 小瑜

SOS DaGu! This time It's YinYin, not LiuLiu, Giving me a Hard Time by 練練

讀後感 by Mike

大舅媽 by George King

人不在姊妹情在 by nancy

One w/ Impeccable Taste by 鮑欣

Our Matriarch (1), 棄子保局 by 小胖

my Little Cousin 周周 by Mike

感謝大伯母 by 孟宏一家，孟德

Bon Voyage to Aunt Laura by Jeff 蕭治 & Vani 梵妮

美丽时尚的大姑妈 by 莹莹

怀念表姐 by 小璈

怀念家韞大表姐 by 小侃

Miss You Dearly by 萍萍

Memorable Photo provided by 瑩瑩

藏在母親心裏的事 by Mike

A Tale of Two Visits by Barbara Silber (蕭齊)

Adults are Funny by Mike

To Laura By George & Juliet

Dear 2nd Uncle By Mike

My Tribute by Jack

Gan-Bei, Cheers by Jeffery

B-I-N-N-N-G-O by Su

Life Lessons by Andrew

Dagu & Dagu's Dagu? by Julie

Who's that Beauty? My Dagu? by Liuliu

下戰書 by Carny Ho

Play the Smart Game by Frany

Multi-Talented by Julie

Breaking her Rules by Julie

Top of the Cream by Mike

Happy Together by Laura & KiKi

Playing Angry Bird by Mike

Condolence Card by neighbors

Mom is very lucky, her 3rd generation meets her expectation, superior than the 2nd'. from top down:

Jeannie, Andrew, Jeffery, Laura and Cindy.

My Tribute by Jack

第一次見面，我倒茶水給您，您說不渴不需要喝，我就沒倒，被指正後才知道那是客氣話。
剛住在一起時，有天您指定要我坐在窗前的一個位置上，我不解，但仍照著做/坐了，後來才知道那是夏天家裏最涼快的地方。
平日無論替您做任何事，很少甚至從來得不到一句謝謝。直到有個機會問您才得到答案，您說一家人不需要說謝謝。至此才知道您沒有把我當外人。

朝夕相處了21年，我們沒有拌過嘴，沒有紅過臉。媽媽，謝謝您這些年來的愛，容忍與原諒我的無知。我們都會很想念您，也請您放心無慮的離開。

女婿珍麟敬上

by Mike; Mom's always right. Son-in-law equals one-half son, part of the family member indeed. On the other hand, Julie and I cockfighting all the time even at this juncture, she is always my BIG sister! I don't have a choice and the same as she!!

Jeffery & Anna's Wedding

Enlarged photo Link

Gan-Bei, Cheers by Jeffery

We stayed at grandma’s house every summer when I was growing up. She would keep our favorite games like Hi Ho Cherry O or The A Team above her hutch and bring them down for us to play with. Eventually when I was old enough, I would take grandpa’s spot after he went to bed and she would stay up late beating me at mah jong.

I had so many experiences during those summers that changed my life like eating new foods, teaching me to be right handed, and learning how to be frugal by clipping coupons and saving napkins from restaurants.

Grandma was really good at math and showed me how to use an abacus, but also super stylish and always wore heels, even to the grocery store!

More recently, we spent a lot of time on FaceTime and it was great seeing Grandma becoming my daughter’s favorite person. They would bring smiles to each other’s faces and gan bei through the screen with a milk bottle or water.

Our family is going to miss grandma.

B-I-N-N-N-G-O by Su

Good afternoon. I am Su, Andrew’s wife.

Andrew shared a lot of stories of grandma. My favorite stories were about her love for games such as mahjong, candy crush, and bingo.

I guess Andrew gets it from his grandma because he plays candy crush all the time himself.

I wish I had more time with her, but I’ll always value the time we did have.

“Whenever grief tries to steal the

beauty of your memories, just remember:

Love never dies”

Amazing, Mom plays 15 cards per game as shown in the photo, Mike can only handle 6 cards.

Life Lessons by Andrew

I remember Grandma telling me stories about her life experiences during the war. It made me realize how much she sacrificed for everyone. Because of this I try to work hard and better myself everyday. I give thanks to grandma and cherish all my memories with her.

(Andrew is mom's favorite grandson)

Dagu & Dagu's Dagu? by Julie

Liuliu, your Dagu traveled with her father’s sister to Washington DC for a week when we lived in Chicago. She talked about that trip often.

by Mike:I do not have the pleasure to meet Mom's Dagu. The two are so connected to each other like mother and daughter. Well, they can reunited now also after all these years and plan for another memorable trip. I'm happy for them!

Who's that Beauty? My Dagu? by Liuliu

Dear Cousin Julie,

Ying, Andrew and I were deeply saddened to learn that Dagu had passed away. I imagine your grief must be overwhelming at this very difficult time. The family has witnessed your devotion to taking care of her for decades. Hope all the memories that you can now cherish help ease your pain and loss.

I remember first learning about Dagu (and all of your family) from a photograph in Beijing when Uncle George came to visit us for the first time in 1979. My father started telling us about her and all the good times they had in Shanghai and Chongqing growing up. My dad had always looked up and felt very close to his loving elder sister. In a way, their sibling relationship has set a great example for the three of us.

Dagu will be dearly missed as a very thoughtful and caring aunt to us. I remember how brave she was to travel on an airplane to be here for my wedding in 1997, thanks to you accompanying her. That was a monumental family reunion for the five of them. It was heartwarming to see them so enjoy being with each other (and how much they all love to drink soup).

In the coming weeks, as you are busy making all the arrangements to say goodbye, may you feel peace and love. Please know you have many cousins who are thinking about you and your family on both the east and west coasts. The COVID restrictions make it even more difficult to plan for the funeral. We look forward to attending the tribute virtually in May. We would love to help in any way we can, including sending a wreath for the funeral at a minimum.

Take good care of yourself, and please give our condolences to Cousin Mike. Hope to meet him in person soon. (reply by Mike: that may not be a good idea!)

Liuliu

下戰書 by Carny Ho

媽，何振宏 Carny 小三，二姨的好女婿，這些年心有未甘下戰書來了，您看該如何應對？

小胖有個建議，將他昇一級，當個小二，端水捧茶拿毛巾，在您和二姨旁伺候著，等開竅了，再賜個座位，行不？
老媽昨晚託夢，可！小二，接旨唄。

Play the Smart Game by Frany

I've never met a woman as smart as my mother-in-law in her generation. She is so thoughtful and able to read your mind just having a casual conversation.

Once she told me that learning the right way to invest at my early age may lead to extensive returns down the road. I was 36 at that time and did not quite catch her advice until 30 years later.

I pray that she is going to be peacefully in heaven and rejoin her partner having a long lasting happy journey and win lots of money!

Frany is Andrew's mom

Multi-Talented by Julie

我媽媽和我外婆一樣，很會設計她想要的東西，在台灣她的梳裝枱就是自己畫好圖叫工人來做。這是她在書房中設計的櫃子佔據半面牆。美觀大方又實用。

Mom enjoys to design home furniture.

Breaking her Rules by Julie

我媽媽怕狗，你們的舅舅，爸爸硬是帶了寶寶和Coco去看外婆，奶奶。本來說是拴在大門上，後來居然抱在身上坐在她身旁。她接受了，只是要你們的舅舅，爸爸早點回家。

Mom waves her arms at Mike and order him to go home right away with the two furry creatures.

Top of the Cream by Mike

During 1960's, mom was hand picked by the post office headquarter among peers to attend advanced career training camp. 15 year later, mom was promoted to be the head of the accounting department. Her working attitude and performance were extraordinary and well respected by peers. Her popularity also grew to #1. Everyone from top executives down to blue collar workers all honored her as the one and only Miss Hsiao.

Can you name that person from the photo?

Happy Together by Laura & KiKi

Dear Nai Nai,

We are grateful to have shared this lifetime with you. You are one of the strongest women I have ever known. We hope your next journey is a peaceful one. We celebrate and honor your time here on Earth.

Love,

Laura and Kiyomi (From right to left; my precious daughter Laura and grand daughter, her younger sister Cindy, my sister Julie, my niece / mom's favorite grand daughter Jeannie and her daughter)

Playing Angry Bird by Mike

Mom has a unique tenacity pacing herself ahead of ordinary people to learn new tricks, enrich knowledge, fashion trends, decorating homes, cooking, playing games, investing and buildup financial portfolios, etc. throughout the years of her wonderful life and most of all she is the backbone not just for Julie and I, she is the backbone of the entire families of Hsiao' and Bao', caring of all surrounded by her side.

Condolence Card by neighbors

Quote:

We were so sorry to hear that your mother passed away last week. She lived such a long and wonderful life and we were blessed to know her. Our family sends deepest sympathy and sincere condolence.

Remarks:

Julie and I sincerely welcome our two uncles and relatives to participate in Mom's tribute program. Email to me (Mike) your tribute speech, memorable photos or thought as you wish and at your convenience. These material will be presented during the private tribute ceremony on May 14, 2022. I'll post them on the "Home" web page in a timely manner. My contact information is in the "Dialogue" web page.
BTW, don't feel sad, instead treat this as a bon voyage to Ms. Hsiao, the Beauty, that finally she manage to escape from Julie and I, and reunited with our grandpa, grandma, two elder uncles and Bernard the Beast in paradise.
No wreath, no white/red envelop, deposit that to Hsiao's family foundation, will consult uncle George later.
You can dedicate a song also in lieu of or in addition to tribute. Remember the key word, bon voyage.
For mobile phone users, click on the 3 bar symbol located on top left corner next to mom's portrait in order to browse other webpages.
I, Mike the host, need your confirmation of either attending the private tribute on site or joining via video conferencing
See Program page for ceremony info and contact me via text message on Dialogue page.

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