My 4Chiak Kong

My family haven't been back to Taiwan since we left when I was 17. I'm 53 now. It was because of my aging parent's request to go home "one last time" that my sister Gigi and I decided to honor that wish. We went by our old home in Thian Mu to reminisce. It was bitter-sweet when we finally left, thinking it will be the last time we will see that neighborhood. It was by sheer luck that my mom (Pily) caught wind that 4Chiak Kong lives in the same neighborhood. So off we went the next day, back to our neighborhood. I frankly thought 4Chiak Kong died many years ago. So imagine how happy I felt to see this tall peppy old man, still handsome, in his pajamas! He was alert, sharp, funny, full of life. His witty persona was matched only by his female companion. She catered to him and honored him like a proper wife would. She was so wonderful to him, and to us. Before we left, he confidently invited us to come back in 10 years..."I'll still be here!" I speak for my family when I say that we were lucky to be given a last chance to visit with him while he's still healthy and share that brief but fulfilling moment. 4Chiak Kong was my papa's (Beng Le) favorite, and Im sure he will sorely miss him, like we all do. ADIN ONG