Many of you may not know this, but Po Po and Gong Gong had another daughter before Dua Yi (eldest aunt).
It was not a popular topic of discussion, and I don't remember if it was slightly embarrassing but Mum did not want to elaborate too much on it. Maybe it was that she just didn't have more information to give, the conversation died quickly.
Po Po herself brought up the conversation once, about how her mother-in-law was such a nice and understanding woman who never once minded that she had bore so many daughters before a male descendant arrived. She said that they had to give the first girl away to the church . She didn't really elaborate why, but I could tell that the loss was on her mind, and still was, to that day, and probably till the end.
When pressed, Mum reluctantly revealed that the girl was born without limbs and there was no way that they could look after her. Being superstitious, Mum said that she was probably born that way because Grandpa was a carpenter and was "chopping around" the house when she was pregnant with her.
Nobody knows what happened to that girl. During that same conversation, Po Po revealed that giving birth was an easy "task" for her. "Plop, they would just slipped out", she said candidly with her signature laugh (which I miss so much and can still hear in my mind). She said that Gong Gong was so brave and since they were mostly home births, he cut most of their umbilical cords. He stopped just before Aunt Constance or Uncle David was born saying "he just couldn't do it anymore". "He was such a brave man", she reflected with a smile ...
From Woan Min:
ReplyDeleteI heard this story from my mum too. Dua Dua Yi was born at night and in the year of the tiger too.
She was given to CHIJ church on Victoria St. One of our aunties went to the church to ask for her. However, the Sister there refused to say anything as she said "Since we had given her up, we should not look for her again.
This is so intriguing. Do you know who is it who went and asked for her? Is it Na E? How long ago was this?
ReplyDeleteI think this is so intriguing and sad at the same time. I feel for Po Po's and everyone else's loss, knowing that they have a kin out there, and we don't know her whereabouts.
I understand the Sister's point of view though and pray that she is well. War does force people to make desperate decisions but there should always be kindness.
After all, Dua Dua Yi might be looking for us all these time and had no way to reach us.