Odds and ends

It’s my turn at “the year of magical thinking”: managing grief and loss of loved ones.

A sudden turn to the left, my recently deceased sister’s TIMEX alarm clock urges me to hurry and live.

Another new-arrival item: her photo w/ new-born baby, in Black and White. Her smile could have been for teeth-whitening ad (in the time of Hynos, Saigon in-your-face toothpaste billboard, See my other blog on Branding in Old Vietnam).

Gone, but not forgotten. Her baby is now back to Cambodia, doing humanitarian work, holding high that relay torch from my sister’s first job: Agricultural Development Bank.

People never quite vanish. We leave traces behind, both good and bad, friendship and enemies, regrets and gratitude by others.

In her case, my sister multiplied, as shown in her still-growing family tree. No wonder futurists entertain scenarios such as A Billion Americans .

In San Francisco, folks are quietly investing in next-door Sonoma County with development plans to build a Forever Golden State.

Growing up dirt poot, my sister picked herself up to earn a College degree, a CPA, and managerial posts. All along, she fiercely fought for women equality, while preserving traditional motherhood.

Short of 50 years in the US, she rightfully claimed her spot in the American female pantheon (participated and won some prizes in the Senior “Beauty” Contest).

I am proud of her. Once during my visit from Penn State, I saw her doing aerobics – minus the underwear worn outside as Hanoi Jane had started that fitness craze in the 80’s. Or watching The Undoing- talk Nichole Kidman walking her son to school, resonated my situation ( sis as substitute for Mom).

Odds and ends on her odyssey to be indirectly continued. Knowing her, I don’t think she would or could rest that easily. In my lifetime, I did not see it, her being at rest ever.