Ten days ago, Chi and I got married in a simple ceremony at the Marin Civic Center. Three of Chi’s sisters (Yen, Linda, and Lan) served as witnesses. My new, 5-year-old nephew, Jacob, and his 7-year-old sister, Emma, blissfully ran around and played.
Four days later, we had a reception for friends and relatives at Casa Real in Pleasanton.
My 83-year-old mother flew in from Kamloops, British Columbia to attend the reception. Unfortunately, her companion, Ron, was not healthy enough to accompany her. Although my mom was concerned about traveling at her age, the only problem she encountered on the way down was at SFO. She emerged from one of the domestic terminals while Chi and I waited at the international terminal.
Our initial excitement upon receiving a text that she had landed, morphed into frustration with unanswered texts… and phone calls that mysteriously went to voicemail. How long does it take to go through Immigration and Customs?
Once we figured out that flights from Canada were considered domestic, we found each other. Instantly, everyone was happy again.
As we climbed into my Outback, Google predicted that it would take an hour and half to get back to San Leandro. Evidently, rush-hour traffic was heavier than usual that day. Upon hearing this news, mom admitted that she was starving. Apparently, she hadn’t eaten much because she didn’t want any stomach issues on the plane or between flights. It’s funny because I don’t like to eat or drink much when travelling either. Like mother, like son.
On the way back, we stopped by Nijiya Market to pick up some rice balls, inari sushi and some California rolls. We didn’t buy drinks because my mom insisted that she had a bottle of water in her bag. It turned out that she had not tightened the cap properly and the contents of her bag were soaked.
We ate in the car while I drove home. Traffic was indeed bad the entire route. As my mom stepped out of the car, a clump of rice rolled innocently onto the ground. Once inside, we had to give my mom different house slippers because she almost tripped twice with the initial pair with thick soles that we had given her.
Even with hearing aids, she had a hard time hearing us. “MOM, LET’S CHANGE YOUR SLIPPERS.”
“Pardon me? No. I already have slippers,” she replied in her thick Japanese accent.
After changing slippers, my mom explained to Chi that, before passing, my grandmother had lost her hearing and that it was difficult to communicate with her. Phone calls were impossible because my grandmother couldn’t tell who was calling. It was a story that we had heard several times before, but Chi politely listened as if it were the first time that she had heard it.
On the morning of the reception our house was full of activity and life. Two young make-up artists came to make my four sister-in laws, my mother-in-law, my mom, and Chi look youthful again. They also politely helped curl Emma’s hair.
Truth be told, Chi wanted the make-up artists to puff up my hair to give it some volume. After fixing my hair, my eyebrows got shaped, and some foundation was applied to hide my sunspots.
Chi lamented, “I wish that we had gotten married sooner. I would have been prettier.”
With a reassuring smile, I told her that she looked beautiful. And despite the makeup, she looked beautiful.
In my blog, I haven’t written much about George. I’m pretty sure that I have mentioned George as the third person of the three amigos who go fishing. Life has made our fishing trips fewer, and these days, we probably have dinner together more often than we fish together.
Andy and I met George on a fishing trip to the Upper Sac organized by John Schueller for the Oakland Casting Club. Andy and I weren’t good friends yet. This was the trip that Andy missed the path coming back to the cars, and a “search party” found him wandering along the train tracks.
Back then, George was a newbie. He was young, and he didn’t know much about fly fishing. Now, George is a formidable fisherman. He’s also married, and they are expecting their second child.
George is also the CEO of the catering company that rents Casa Real and leases the property to clients for events. On our car rides to go fishing, he would explain what his company was all about. Back then, his mother owned and operated the company. He was an employee who eventually bought out his mother’s partner.
We were lucky that, on the day of our reception, the weather cooperated. It was still cold when the sun emerged between the clouds, but the heat lamps in the courtyard helped keep the people who wandered outside, warm.
When we took photos before the reception in the vineyard, I wondered whether the pictures would turn out. The grapevines were barren. There were no signs of life. I surmised that, in a few months, these trunks and branches would be sprouting leaves, and then a few months later, grapes would be growing.
I never imagined that I would be one of George’s clients. I’m not sure why. But, I am so glad – relieved – that Chi and I entrusted George with our reception. Thanks to his team, the reception went well – so well, it exceeded our expectations. The food was delicious. Our guests appeared to have a great time. We were surprised at how lively the evening turned out.
If we had taken a group photo, we would have looked like a beautiful bouquet of flowers.
Two days after the reception, my mother left. As we said our good bye’s, she looked into my eyes. I knew that she wondered if we would see each other again. She arrived back in Kamloops safely where Ron picked her up at the airport.
I hope that she had a fun trip. On the last night, I made a steak for her on my iron skillet that I take camping. The steak was from a butcher shop in Castro Valley. Chi handled the popovers using Mark Bittman’s recipe. While the popovers baked in the oven, she made a beet salad. As the steak rested, I grated some daikon that we served later with some ponzu sauce. We also made some mashed potatoes. The meal was heavenly, and it felt like a religious experience.
As I write this post, our kitchen and dining area are full of cut flowers. Lan had made the bouquet for Chi and all the centerpieces for our reception. Although it has been a week, the flowers are vibrant and standing tall. The flowers are still gorgeous.
When we brought the flowers back to the house, they were in various stages of blooming. Some were about to bloom, and others were already at the peak of their beauty.
But, I don’t like cut flowers. Any day now, the ones that have bloomed will start to wither. It’s inevitable. The ones that are yet to bloom, might bloom, and if they bloom, eventually, they also will start to wither. In the end, they will all die.
Chi says that you must appreciate and celebrate the flowers’ beauty. That’s how you make their lives worthwhile. I decided to preserve my boutonniere, hanging it upside down. Online, Chi bought a flower press to save her bouquet.
All that is left — if I follow Chi’s advice — is to cherish the people in our lives. I love you, mom. Let’s meet again, soon.