Mama (4) 妈妈 (四)

Visiting Mama 回国看妈妈

  In 1995, I was able to pay a home visit--the first in seven years.  Then Li-qing, Hong and Wei were able to make two separate trips each. On each occastion, joy was written all over mama's face. I expect to be able to go back again next year. That will be the second such trip in 18 years.

  在阔别家乡七年后，我终于能够在1995年和丽卿回了一趟国。随后，丽卿和庄宏庄伟各又两次分别回国。见到亲人的喜悦，大大地写在妈妈的脸上。再有一年，我自己应也可以回去了--那将是我来美十八年的第二回。

 
Visiting Mama 回国看妈妈
The dream of a home visit came true sooner than expected.  Li-qing and I went back in 1995.  This is my mother picking us up from the wharf，on pedicab.
 我和丽卿终于提早在1995年回了国。这是妈妈到码头接我们后乘坐三轮车回家。
This is mama with me and my brother, inside his office.
 这是妈妈与我和弟弟在他办公室的合影。
The morning after our arrival, I took this picture of mama smiling all over at the table.
到家的第二天早上，我拍下了妈妈这张喜笑颜开的照片。
This is mama leaning against a stone lion.  It was Spring Festival (Chinese new year).
 这是1995年家乡的春节街头。妈妈靠在一个石狮。
Li-qing again went back to China in 1999. She is with mama, and our family friends in a nearby farm for Overseas Chinese.
 1999年，丽卿自己回国一趟，也看到了妈妈。这是在双弟华侨农场老蔡家。
Li-qing again went back to China in 2004. She is with mama, and our family friends Dr. and Mrs. Yang in Zhangzhou.
 2004年，丽卿又自己回国一趟，还跟妈妈去漳州拜访我们的好朋友秀兰和大杨
Wei and Maki went to China in 2004, and took this picture of his grandma and uncle, in his uncle's home.
 庄伟麻纪子2004年回国时，在他叔叔家拍的他叔叔和奶奶的照片。
Mama is very pleased holding her first great grandson, Kevin.  Kevin is 2, while my mother is 85.  Kevin's father and mother took him to China in 2005.
 2005年庄宏和秀娟携带小恺恩回去中国。八十五岁的曾祖母抱着庄家的第一个曾孙，是多么高兴啊。

In the summer of 2007, I went back to China, and stayed with my mom for a few weeks.  At 87, my mom is still healthy and active.

The first picture was taken in the kitchen, the second my mom learning to use a digital camera, the third with my brother's family.

二○○七年夏天我又回国一趟，在家乡住了几个星期。八十七岁的妈妈身体仍好，还上老人大学。

第一幅照片在家里的厨房里；第二幅是妈妈在使用数码照相机；第三幅在弟弟家。