I'm finally reading these chapters. I'm sooo behind, and I didn't want to read in the middle, so I've been reserving all the reading until I can start with Ch.1. What a story! It made me think about some of the stories my parents used to tell me. I think I'd have appreciated them more now that I'm older. It's awesome that you're writing your stories, Lani.
Thanks, Lou, that means a lot. If it helps, you can always listen along (it's me) to help you catch up! But I know what you mean about stories we heard from childhood versus now, what a difference, right?
im half Thai and Belgian, born and raised in thailand. your story telling grasps the fierce and irrepressible character of your mother so well and authentically; reminding me of a lot of the women in my family. all thai women have the craziest lore, and i stand by this 😭😅
Nice to meet you Evi! 💗And yassss, there have been times when we’re hanging out in Lamphun, discussing the local gossip or sharing stories, and we’re thinking, we could seriously get a soap opera going. 😂 Thank you so much!
"It was a miracle he didn’t notice that everything in their apartment was slowly disappearing." Wow, what a story and what an incredible person your mother is! I loved this gradual disappearing act. Great story-yelling, Lani!
Lani! This is amazing. I forward the emails to my Mom - who loved The Missing Teacher. Here is her response to this installment:
“Ann can I buy the book? I like the shooting and cutting the crotch out.”
I had to explain that she will have to wait for each chapter and hope that the book is published at the end.
I look forward to more. From both you and my Mom. She is 2nd generation on her mom’s side and 3rd on her dad’s. She tells stories here and there about growing up in Hawaii with the extended Chinese family, and I’m hoping your writing will spur her on to tell me more.
Thank you, as always, for your writing and your literary voice 🥰
💝 Awww, thanks for sharing this, Ann! I can't believe your mom likes it. Ha. That's awesome. Yes, I hope she will share her stories. I'm keenly feeling the end of our parents' generation, and I want to hold on for as long as possible. They are unique, just like us Gen Xers, but with ties to the land that I'm not sure we have. Hmmm. Something to think about. Love you!
I read this twice, Lani - so well written and readable. I particularly enjoyed your own asides which pull the reader back to the present. To me, this is a story which somehow seems much more historical than it really is. Your mum is definitely an attractive firecracker and that scene with the gun, omg, I could picture this in my mind's eye like a high octane soap opera.
I strongly encourage you to start considering who will play your mum when the screenwriters start calling ... P.S. Has your mum read any of these??
Oh, Sue, you are so sweet. My fear is that it won’t reach as many as I think would enjoy it and relate to it. So, please know, I soak in every response, and it means a lot that you appreciate it!
My mom’s English is not that great. I’ve changed this so she sounds like you and me because I don’t want it to take away from the story. Now, one could argue that it would add, but no, I don’t need that stereotype.
As far as reading, no, she’ll never read it. But since I’ve made it an audio as well, I might have to share it with her one day. We’ll see, as she’s not tech savvy either, but the right day will come along…maybe. xo
I love how feisty your mother was, although I'm suspecting she still is, as I'm not sure that kind of quality fades away with age. Isn't the realization that our parents have lives and histories seperate from just being our parents just amazing?
Yes. I’m grateful I was curious, too, and got to know this side of her. She’s still feisty in her way, but she’s definitely not as fiery as she once was! Thanks, Jolandi, xo
You’re the best. You’ve made my day! Yes, mom is amazing, but it was also a complicated relationship growing up I tell you! Thanks so much, Victoria. xo
Yes, her life so different from yours. Immigrant parents of a certain era and where they came from. I found out last year, my maternal grandfather had to wives: my grandmother and about 25 yrs. later another woman with whom they had 5 children. My mother was in a family with 7 other siblings. Yup, polygamy in our maternal family line --before Communists outlawed polygamy.
Holy cannoli! That’s quite the revelation! I’m speechless. I mean, was your grandfather already passed when you found this out? Why did he marry another woman? Have you tried to track down any of your half-relatives?
Oh sure mother didn't want to try to explain this to us kids when we were you. Polygmay was part of China's patriarichal past for centuries. So whenever the guy had some money and felt like it.....it was done. By then, his first family, some of the older kids already were adults. there was a 20 yr. gap between mother's eldest sibling and herself as the 2nd youngest. My mother never knew the other family at all. I'm not interested in tracking down half-relatives.
I'm finally reading these chapters. I'm sooo behind, and I didn't want to read in the middle, so I've been reserving all the reading until I can start with Ch.1. What a story! It made me think about some of the stories my parents used to tell me. I think I'd have appreciated them more now that I'm older. It's awesome that you're writing your stories, Lani.
Thanks, Lou, that means a lot. If it helps, you can always listen along (it's me) to help you catch up! But I know what you mean about stories we heard from childhood versus now, what a difference, right?
Again such a captivating read! Unbelievable what stories some family members carry!
I know, right? Whoever said, everyone has a story inside of them, was totally spot on! Thanks, Milena!
im half Thai and Belgian, born and raised in thailand. your story telling grasps the fierce and irrepressible character of your mother so well and authentically; reminding me of a lot of the women in my family. all thai women have the craziest lore, and i stand by this 😭😅
such a great read! your mom is an icon.
Nice to meet you Evi! 💗And yassss, there have been times when we’re hanging out in Lamphun, discussing the local gossip or sharing stories, and we’re thinking, we could seriously get a soap opera going. 😂 Thank you so much!
Your mom is amazing--and so are you. I'm so grateful I get to hear these stories. And the crotchless pants trick is one for the ages!
She’s bananas and a force to be reckon with, which is what made her an incredibly complicated mom growing up. Thanks, Rebecca! xo
I do love hearing you read it x
Thank you! 💖 I enjoy doing it, xo
You’ve been knocked off your pedestal! Your mom’s my bestie now 😂
🤣🤣🤣Well, it was nice while it lasted!
Dems da breaks, kid.
😂😂
As always, you crack me up lol! Would love to meet with your mom someday!
No problem! Just head on over to Oahu! 💞 😅 So grateful you enjoyed it!
"It was a miracle he didn’t notice that everything in their apartment was slowly disappearing." Wow, what a story and what an incredible person your mother is! I loved this gradual disappearing act. Great story-yelling, Lani!
Thanks, Jeffrey. Yeah, she’s quite the character! 😊
Lani! This is amazing. I forward the emails to my Mom - who loved The Missing Teacher. Here is her response to this installment:
“Ann can I buy the book? I like the shooting and cutting the crotch out.”
I had to explain that she will have to wait for each chapter and hope that the book is published at the end.
I look forward to more. From both you and my Mom. She is 2nd generation on her mom’s side and 3rd on her dad’s. She tells stories here and there about growing up in Hawaii with the extended Chinese family, and I’m hoping your writing will spur her on to tell me more.
Thank you, as always, for your writing and your literary voice 🥰
💝 Awww, thanks for sharing this, Ann! I can't believe your mom likes it. Ha. That's awesome. Yes, I hope she will share her stories. I'm keenly feeling the end of our parents' generation, and I want to hold on for as long as possible. They are unique, just like us Gen Xers, but with ties to the land that I'm not sure we have. Hmmm. Something to think about. Love you!
I read this twice, Lani - so well written and readable. I particularly enjoyed your own asides which pull the reader back to the present. To me, this is a story which somehow seems much more historical than it really is. Your mum is definitely an attractive firecracker and that scene with the gun, omg, I could picture this in my mind's eye like a high octane soap opera.
I strongly encourage you to start considering who will play your mum when the screenwriters start calling ... P.S. Has your mum read any of these??
Oh, Sue, you are so sweet. My fear is that it won’t reach as many as I think would enjoy it and relate to it. So, please know, I soak in every response, and it means a lot that you appreciate it!
My mom’s English is not that great. I’ve changed this so she sounds like you and me because I don’t want it to take away from the story. Now, one could argue that it would add, but no, I don’t need that stereotype.
As far as reading, no, she’ll never read it. But since I’ve made it an audio as well, I might have to share it with her one day. We’ll see, as she’s not tech savvy either, but the right day will come along…maybe. xo
I love how feisty your mother was, although I'm suspecting she still is, as I'm not sure that kind of quality fades away with age. Isn't the realization that our parents have lives and histories seperate from just being our parents just amazing?
Yes. I’m grateful I was curious, too, and got to know this side of her. She’s still feisty in her way, but she’s definitely not as fiery as she once was! Thanks, Jolandi, xo
A great read, Lani! I love your storytelling...it's like a gasp-shock-hilarious roll of revelations.
Kudos to your Mum. What a life-story— underestimated, smart, feisty and a survivor.
You’re the best. You’ve made my day! Yes, mom is amazing, but it was also a complicated relationship growing up I tell you! Thanks so much, Victoria. xo
Ahhh yes, I thought I read that between the lines. I'll look out for the next articles ;-)
Yes, her life so different from yours. Immigrant parents of a certain era and where they came from. I found out last year, my maternal grandfather had to wives: my grandmother and about 25 yrs. later another woman with whom they had 5 children. My mother was in a family with 7 other siblings. Yup, polygamy in our maternal family line --before Communists outlawed polygamy.
Holy cannoli! That’s quite the revelation! I’m speechless. I mean, was your grandfather already passed when you found this out? Why did he marry another woman? Have you tried to track down any of your half-relatives?
Oh sure mother didn't want to try to explain this to us kids when we were you. Polygmay was part of China's patriarichal past for centuries. So whenever the guy had some money and felt like it.....it was done. By then, his first family, some of the older kids already were adults. there was a 20 yr. gap between mother's eldest sibling and herself as the 2nd youngest. My mother never knew the other family at all. I'm not interested in tracking down half-relatives.
I meant: " to us kids when we were young"
Ah, I see. Got it, thanks.
Wow, what an incredible story. Your mother threatening with gun.
Thanks, Jean. Yes, she’s quite the character. 🤩
Awww, thanks, Maureen! ❤️