
Mom, Dad and I stayed at my Khun Ta and Khun Yai’s house located in the outskirt of
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
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
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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