My Parents - 2017

Time is a gift; time is also brutal.

I live in the U.K. and I am the only child.

My parents live in China and they are 61 this year.

I visited my parents last month. I realised that if I see them once a year, till they are 81, we will only meet for 20 times.

So I set to record our get together, with the most tender heart.

I declined all friends and relatives kind invitations and spent all the time participating in my parents daily activities, just being their daughter.

They started their day with reading about healthy ageing.

Let me have a look!

Figuring out healthy ageing diet.

Pose for my daughter.

They showed me the shady footpath that newly built along the Hun River that they exercise everyday.

We walked pass a parrot that said "Ni Hao" to us!

My mum's tolerance for heat is getting less and she chose this hilarious sunhat out of practicality.

I used to think they take too much pictures every time I visit and thought it was disruptive our time together. Now I see why. Because they have experienced the pain of their only child being so far away and that they need to have something to hold on to.

My mum found a clever perspective that she could include all of us.

I followed my mum to her ballet class and feeling very proud of her.

We went to a thousand people singing event every evening, where people gathering together voluntarily under a bridge, to sing the old songs that everyone know. It is a very moving event, from old to young, everyone happily introducing about the event to new comers.

I know you are always looking for me; I am too.

Several songs reminded me that my granny used to sing for me while I was little. My eyes went red so I hid behind the camera.

Before knowing, it is time to say goodbye.

At the airport.

My dad has his own way of taking care of everyone. He would tell my mum to drink water.

He would also tell my mum she should clean her chopsticks - "like this" 

I walked backward, cowardly hid myself behind the camera again. 

"Just like the goodbye song we sung" said my dad. I smiled and couldn't speak.

I know it must be difficult for you to smile too.

 

At last, I had to keep moving. 

I wish the U.K.'s policy would change in regards to family reunion.