Happy Rabbit Year, Ancestors!

My dear ancestors,

First of all, HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR to those of you who were Chinese. And to those of you who were Hawaiian and Javanese, this letter is written for you as well. Jadi jangan berkecil hati :))

Nama saya Connie. Kita tidak pernah bertemu, karena kalian sudah pergi ke alam kekal ketika saya dilahirkan oleh Ibu saya, Martha, ke dalam dunia yang saat ini lumayan memberikan saya such a hard time. So I’m not sure if you were my guardian angels, or you were just some people who made me who I am today. My looks, at least.

I’d like to thank all of you who decided to migrate to Java island hundreds of years ago. The so-called ancestors in my life I’d ever met were only Dad’s mother, and both of Mom’s parents. Grampa Lawrence, you went to Heaven a month before my parents got married, but I heard wonderful you were as a man and as a grampa from your late wife, my parents, and my cousins. I wish I’d met you, but I believe that someday we will meet! I can’t wait :))

I am so proud that I am not just a regular Chinese descant like most of Chinese people in Indonesia. I have Hawaiian blood from you and your parents, Grampa Lawrence. And Mom’s grampa, thank you for falling for an East Javanese girl and married her, so I get some Javanese blood in my body as well. It makes me more Indonesian… I am happy with my relatively bigger eyes than regular Chinese, and my wavy hair. I often resemble myself with Lilo. Ah, you guys don’t know who she is. It’s the girl in this picture :D Hey Grampa Lawrence, I met your cousin(?) when I was a kid, she got tanned skin and very curly hair, why didn’t you? Hehe.

So again, today is Chinese New Year. It’s golden rabbit that rules within a year now. My father and I don’t celebrate it like most Chinese. We just stay at home. Dad’s not feeling too well as well, so there’s no red pocket money for me. Will you send some from Heaven?

Once again, thank you for migrating here to Indonesia. I love this country so much and this is my homeland. I’ve never been to Hawaii, and I only went once to China for few days, but I didn’t like it there because I can’t speak the language. You guys stay good there. Take care of your wings so someday when my time comes, you all can pick me up safely. Please also take care of my mother. She’s a sweetheart, and she’s my best friend.

I love you, guys - even though we have never met in persons.

Gong xie fat chai!

Love,
Connie

P.S. Sorry for writing this letter in English and some Indonesian as I don’t speak Chinese nor Hawaiian. My bad.

---Oleh: Dear_Connie

(diambil dari: www.poeticonnie.tumblr.com )