play on emotions
Grandmother at Fort Greene Park, 2007, © Jane Tam
My grandparents on my father’s side of the family were the people who brought so many of my family members from Hong Kong to America in the 1970s and after. My grandmother used most of her savings to immigrate to the states. She helped my mother’s side of the family immigrate to the states in the late 80s and 90s as well. It’s amazing how the Tam family as well as the Yeung family are so indebted to this one woman. My grandmother had a slew of medical problems in the past but somehow her fighting power was always strong and she fought it like a tiger. She traveled to many countries with my grandfather, went parasailing, took photographs and pet a live tiger, went gambling every weekend or day at Atlantic City, and talked back to anybody in her way. She was a stubborn lady with quite a temper but she always knew to treat her grandchildren differently, like many grandparents.
As I’ve written in a few posts before, I’ve been busy with a lot of family issues and it was mainly the fact that in these past two months, I’ve been in and out of the hospital with many family members. We have a large family and even with family politics, we are all very filial and respectful. I can’t say I was particularly close with my Grandmother growing up but in the past 2-3 years of photographing her every few months, I started to develop a bond. It’s sad to realize that our relationship was so short but as least I have a few memories to hold on to. My grandmother passed away last Friday with her whole family by her side. She went peacefully and we all know she’s lived a vibrant and great life. She can now gamble all she wants wherever she may be.
It’s hard to maintain a professional blog without being personal especially since I am very attached to my family project. With all the sorrow and sadness of our loss, I am also happy to invite you all to the Nymphoto shows, one of which opens this Wednesday. Funny how life works; such polar opposites of emotions.
Jane, I’m sorry. I’m glad you got the chance to have spend time with her.
Please let me know if there is anything you need.
-Sara
Jane, I’m sorry to hear about your loss. I know it’s been hard the last couple of months and this is all happening at the same time. You need to burn some paper money for her and maybe a paper limo so she can go gambling in style!
My sincere condolences, Jane. Wish I had taken such honest and warmhearted portraits of my grandma before she passed away.
-André
Jane –again I am so sorry for your & your family’s loss.
This is a beautiful post and wonderful portrait.
And it sounds like your grandmother had life full of love — which is all we can hope for.
Much love, me