Saturday, December 20, 2008

My Big Thai Family

Mom, Dad and I stayed at my Khun Ta and Khun Yai’s house located in the outskirt of Bangkok. For those who don’t know, “Khun-Ta” means maternal grandpa and “Khun-Yai” means maternal grandma in Thai. Mom taught me these words before I was even born. So when I first got there and met them, I sort of cooed and smiled as I often do these days. Somehow they thought I said “Hello Khun Ta and Khun Yai” and was obviously very impressed. I didn’t know how yet to explain myself … so I just let that go.

Then I found out that Uncle Paulie, whose wedding my family came all the way from California to attend, had a Rattan bassinet specially hand made for me. This thing rocks and I mean it literally and metaphorically. I slept like a BABY in there. Thanks Uncle Paulie!

Soon after our arrival, I got to meet Mom’s extended family—four great-aunts (my maternal grandmother’s sisters) whom I also later will get to call “Khun Yai” according to the Thai tradition. They are way cool. They liked to hold me and talk to me a lot. Mom said that helped with my Thai. Some of them also tend to feed me just about anytime I start to cry. (Mom had to talk with them about that because she thinks I’m better off eating meals rather than snacking all day. Dr. Greenspan, my pedi, would concur).

Anyways, on the day of Uncle Paulie's wedding, I met many first, second and third cousins, long-time family friends, family priests et cetera. The list is endless. These encounters-- although very kind and sweet--became a little overwhelming so I started to cry.

I stopped crying right when someone mentioned “gifts”. What gifts? See what happened was one of my great-aunts suggested that the family have another brief welcoming/hair-cutting ceremony for me. As some of you may know, I already had one in California when I turned one month old. During this ceremony, in return for the hair they get to trim on my head, they gave me gifts. So I thought if it means more presents from all these cool relatives, loosing a few more locks of hair doesn’t sound all that bad. After all, I still have LOTS of it.

So, in the spirit of Thai celebration of birth, I received from my family some money, gold and silver baby bracelets and lockets. I was just starting to dream of getting myself another nice jungle gym, swing or BABYBJÖRN carrier, when I overheard Mom whispering to Dad that all these gifts are to be cherished and used for good luck. They are not meant to be exchanged or spent. Sure, I ponder, if it means I stay happy and lucky like this for a long, long time.




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