August 1, 2020
August 1, 2020
As Jennifer’s school friend from primary school, and like San, I had known Auntie Tong (affectionately referred to as 花媽) for over 50 years.
My earliest memory of Auntie’s generosity and thoughtfulness was on an occasion when a group of us participated in a HK Speech Festival, reciting a poem called Godfrey Gordon Gustavus Gore. After the competition, we had to go back to school, but not before being treated to ice-cream for our efforts. You can imagine the scene – a group of young DGS girls in uniform, devouring sweet treats with only one small-framed (yet authoritative) lady overseeing. In all the years that followed, whenever I visited the Tongs, be it in England or Melbourne, I never had to pay for meals, movie tickets, entrances to farms, parks or other entertainment venues. One time, Auntie insisted on preparing some 鴨舌 for me to take back to Brisbane, when I mentioned they were my mum’s favourite. She never even knew my mum.
Whenever 花媽 went back to Hong Kong, a group of us would invite her to dinner. She always had little gifts for everyone. For a bit of mystery, the Aussie souvenirs would be neatly wrapped, and to throw in a few laughs, she would make us draw lots for them!
Auntie, those who knew her well would agree, was quick to admonish when she saw fit, but was equally ready to give praise when it was deserved. I remember being told off quite sternly for being a vegetarian. She thought abstaining from meat and seafood was ridiculous. But each time we ate together, she would always look out for me, asking whether there was enough food, since I was a 齋姑 and did not have too much choice. That was how she was.
花媽 was a great story-teller, as attested by many, and I think I had listened to more than my fair share of her personal recollections and family accounts. She told me (in gory detail) of how she got her stiff finger – a stark warning of what NOT to do in a similar knife injury. San would often be present when Auntie told her tales, and being the attentive daughter-in-law that she was, would mutter to me (whilst keeping a smile on her face) that she had heard them all before. Sadly, there are no more stories now; just fond memories of a wonderful character who had brought fun and laughter, given valuable lessons and advice, and shown a world of love and kindness.
My earliest memory of Auntie’s generosity and thoughtfulness was on an occasion when a group of us participated in a HK Speech Festival, reciting a poem called Godfrey Gordon Gustavus Gore. After the competition, we had to go back to school, but not before being treated to ice-cream for our efforts. You can imagine the scene – a group of young DGS girls in uniform, devouring sweet treats with only one small-framed (yet authoritative) lady overseeing. In all the years that followed, whenever I visited the Tongs, be it in England or Melbourne, I never had to pay for meals, movie tickets, entrances to farms, parks or other entertainment venues. One time, Auntie insisted on preparing some 鴨舌 for me to take back to Brisbane, when I mentioned they were my mum’s favourite. She never even knew my mum.
Whenever 花媽 went back to Hong Kong, a group of us would invite her to dinner. She always had little gifts for everyone. For a bit of mystery, the Aussie souvenirs would be neatly wrapped, and to throw in a few laughs, she would make us draw lots for them!
Auntie, those who knew her well would agree, was quick to admonish when she saw fit, but was equally ready to give praise when it was deserved. I remember being told off quite sternly for being a vegetarian. She thought abstaining from meat and seafood was ridiculous. But each time we ate together, she would always look out for me, asking whether there was enough food, since I was a 齋姑 and did not have too much choice. That was how she was.
花媽 was a great story-teller, as attested by many, and I think I had listened to more than my fair share of her personal recollections and family accounts. She told me (in gory detail) of how she got her stiff finger – a stark warning of what NOT to do in a similar knife injury. San would often be present when Auntie told her tales, and being the attentive daughter-in-law that she was, would mutter to me (whilst keeping a smile on her face) that she had heard them all before. Sadly, there are no more stories now; just fond memories of a wonderful character who had brought fun and laughter, given valuable lessons and advice, and shown a world of love and kindness.
