Fall From Grace
by: Grace

Born at precisely 11:12 AM, Grace entered the world a naive neonate. The second child of two Taiwanese immigrants, she quickly became the independent, dependable child. Quick to adapt and wanting to please, she was a happy kid and found amusement in the simpliest things.

Too bad it didn't stay that way.

Looking back on my life so far, I realize that my childhood was probably the best part of my life. There were so many experiences, mistakes, lessons learned, fun, and innocence.

The First Years..
Scattered here and there, memories of childhood friends, birthday parties, romping in the grass, riding upon my father's shoulders, and endless arguements with my brother.
At the age of one and a half, I took my first trip to the county that I would feel the most at home at. Of course I do not remember this trip, but I love Taiwan. I may be an American, but my patriotism lies with Taiwan.
Within my hodgepodge of various memories, one of my fondest is of trips to Taiwan.
The first trip to Taiwan I actually remember is when my grandma died. My mom's two brothers lived in a large house with my grandpa. The house had a quad and a textile and hat factory in the back. It was guarded by heavy metal gates. It was like the gateway to my personal heaven. The house provided safety and love that I never understood. Sure, it wasn't my childhood home like it was my mother's, but it's where I felt like I belonged. I remember I played shadow tag in the quad with my four cousins. My older uncle would call me "Ms. No" since I would answer all his questions with no. I remember my aunt's delicious cooking. Eating "maun taos" (buns) and porridge for breakfast. Just having fun. It was during this trip that I developed my love for Pomeranians. My cousins had the cutest pomeranian named "pi pi" (naughty). He was named so because everytime the gates would open, he would rush out into the street.
I recall shooting cloth hairties onto the roof of the shed adjacent to the factory. My cousin also took me on adventures around the factory. Spying on the workers, playing tag, going to school with my other cousin. All just childhood memories, but fond ones.
When my grandma died, I remember the blue tarp tent that we prayed under. Everyone dressed in white (as is the custom in Taiwan), and lighting incense sticks. I remember accidently getting burned by one on my face. My mom took me into the family room where the adults chatted each night. She applied a cooling creme that was kept in the refridgerator. I'm not sure why I remember that, but I do. By the time the funeral was over, it was night time. My cousins and I played under that blue tarp tent, never really fully grasping the magnitude of the situation.
Then there was my dad's side. They lived in the same town as my mom's family, but they lived in a more populated area. Their home was three stories, one on top of another, whereas my grandpa's house was spread out in a square and for the most part, one story. The house was called "mi dien" (rice store); they family business used to be selling rice. There was a watch shop next door, and it was where I got my first watch. It was red with a googley-eyed yellow rabbit on it and you had to flip it open to see the time. When flipped open, it played Fur Elise.
It was during this visit that I would meet my favorite uncle. You see, my dad was the second youngest out of eight children. All my aunts and uncles were much older, and hard to relate to. Not him. He was fun and caring. He spoiled my brother and I. His daughter "Su Ying" (my cousin) would drive us around on her moped. I remember my brother and I used to fight over who got to sit on the back of the seat. I usually had to stand on the flat part of the moped in front my cousin. My uncle would treat us to red bean popsicles and snacks at 7 11. You could not imagine my devastation when I heard that he passed away in 1997. Sometimes I feel as though I haven't really realized that he is gone. Over the summer I was looking through pictures and I stumbled across a few pictures of him along with me, my brother, Su Ying, and my aunt. It caused me to tear up. When my dad went back for my uncle's funeral, I wanted to go so badly, but I had to go to school. My aunt later mistook my dad's jacket for my uncle's. Thus she burned my dad's jacket along with his passport that was in the pocket. A part of my dad was gone along with my uncle.