I  was a very naughty child, getting into trouble with my parents all the time. I was often well-deservedly scolded. However, growing up, one of the few things I  looked forward to was visiting my grandparent’s place every weekend with my brother Golden. It was a place full of warmth and delicious home cooked meals that my grandma prepared with their domestic helper. My grandpa was always there, welcoming us with a smile. We’ve always loved and respected my grandpa. He was a very kind and gentle person, always thinking about other people. I swear I don’t recall him ever getting angry. Perhaps that was a reason why I loved visiting – I knew I would be able to have fun and not get scolded. Getting the occasional red packet helped sweetened the deal.

　　My grandpa’s home was an embodiment of who he was as a person. Not only was it sunny and full of warmth, it was also often filled with people – cousins, family members, and even family friends – who were there to visit him. It was as though our large family orbited around him. We would often see my cousins at his place, contributing to the fond memories I have of it. There was a good reason why everyone gathered at his place: he was extremely well respected in the large community he helped create.

　　One of the memories I had with my grandpa was when we visited Fujian, his hometown, together. I didn’t travel much as a kid, so I was extremely excited to go on a trip outside of Hong Kong. During that trip, a number of my aunts and my cousins came with us. We took an overnight train to Fujian after crossing the border to Shenzhen. I would hate to do that now as I prefer to sleep on a proper bed, but I will never forget the excitement I had. Sleeping in a train when most train rides in Hong Kong were in the 15-30 min range? I mean, how cool is that! After we had gotten to Fujian and rested a bit, we went to visit a secondary school. 

　　As we approached the secondary school from our van, we saw a seemingly endless number of students, each lined up on either side of the road in single file, welcoming us. I was confused. Were they mistaking us for some celebrity? As we approached the gates of the school, firecrackers started going off. Truth to be told, I hated it because it was so loud and it hurt my ears. Nevertheless, this entire ordeal made the trip even more unforgettable. It was only until after the trip that I learned that my grandpa, after coming to Hong Kong and starting some successful businesses, donated a large portion of what he made to build a secondary school in Fujian to give the kids there an education and a chance to lift themselves out of poverty. I remember being very touched and inspired after learning that. 

　　During the depths of the COVID19 pandemic in 2020, I learned that my grandpa had gotten very sick. After I and my brother Golden had moved to America, We always went back to Hong Kong once or twice a year to visit him. Despite the 14-day mandatory quarantine, I went back to see him in case it was the very last time. I had a week in Hong Kong after the long quarantine and I spent a lot of time with him in the hospital. We chatted a lot and I got a chance to learn even more about him. Despite being sick, he was still fighting. He told me he was going to make it to 100 years old and go back to Fujian and host a giant banquet, as is tradition, inviting everyone from the surrounding villages. He also mentioned he had a lot of unfinished business and matters he needed to deal with after he’d gotten better. It made me feel happy hearing that – he was still fighting and he was still thinking about his hometown in Fujian; he was the grandpa I knew. However, as we chatted and as I wanted to learn more about the journey of his life, he told me he’d tell me when he felt better the next time I came back. This was one of the few regrets I have.

　　A little over a month after I came back to America, I got a call from my dad that grandpa had passed away. Despite knowing that it was likely going to happen, I and my brother Golden were really sad that we couldn’t see him one more time and be with him in his final moments. I wanted to learn more about his life as I’ve gotten older and came to appreciate these things. However, his story is not an enigma as he had written an auto-biography. He has also deeply engrained himself into me by showing me a fabulous way to live one’s life: being selfless and always thinking about others. The lessons he’s taught me will always be with me and are lessons I aspire to teach my children one day. He will live on through all of us, including the many lives that he’s touched through his philanthropy.

　　Written by: 江迪良

　　Date:   16 Mar 2022