Grandma (Born Jan 1909-Died Sept 1999)

Weary dreary long bumping country road
mud covered jeep suddenly stopped
path broken, ditch widen
we crossed over on foot silently
nobody speaking
we were on missions to say farewell
to our beloved grandmother who is cancer stricken

In front of the same little shack we used to call home
frail tiny stature
piercing eyes
pickled face
smiling with toothless mouth caving in
broken bamboo cane still there on the left side
there she stood

"Mommy, great grandma looks like the perfect witch,
only a broom missing"
my 8 yrs old daughter excitedly declared-in English
I pull her to the side
told her China has no Halloween yet at that time
tears rushed into my eyes
how could I explain why I silently cried

Grandma repeated our naughty childhood tales one last time
how she remembered all in vivid details but we had forgotten
"How is America?" "I would like to fly!"
I told her the airline ticket will send to her way
she laughed whole heart out as she always did
I could swear she was not sick
we shared our last meal together with cheerful memories

six moths later grandma died in her sleep
she had smile on her face and  absolutely in peace
my mother and uncle buried her in the garden
she laid there looking upon us through her sunflowers and daisies
I still hear her laughter, see her image
feel her spirit present
she is as living as Angel can be