Friday, May 6, 2022
The first time I met Helen was when I was about 5-years-old. I was sitting by myself on the first day of kindergarten. My mom had left for work after dropping me off and I was sitting there thinking - Okay, what happens now? - when a kind Chinese woman saw me sitting alone and introduced me to her daughter, who was clinging tightly to her arm. I remember the woman saying to her daughter with a soft voice, "Look, there's another Chinese girl. You two can be friends." That girl and I did become friends. That girl is Tiffany and that kind woman was Helen. Helen welcomed me lovingly into her home with generosity where Tiffany and I hung out, had Contra marathons on the OG Nintendo and even played Truth or Dare. I remember Helen coming home from work - always greeting us with a big smile, asking us how school went, and asking me how my family was doing. Helen had a great sense of humor and was always joking around with her kids. She watched American television with her family and laughed with her kids during the comedic moments. I say American television because my family watched Chinese television (Hong Kong dramas, TVB, movies, etc.) As the years past, whenever I saw Helen she always greeted me with the same big smile. Always asking about my well-being and how my family is doing. Helen was kind, caring, funny, a hard worker and she loved her children and grandchildren. Growing up, all the times that I've seen Helen, I always called her Mrs. Lee. That's what I was taught to do to show respect. Every time I called Helen, Mrs. Lee, she would say, "Patricia, how many times do I have to tell you to call me, Helen. Mrs. Lee makes me sound old." I did not want to disrespect her so I always called her Mrs. Lee. Well Helen, I hope the multiple times I've used your first name in this memory tribute makes up for all the times I've called you Mrs. Lee. May you rest in peace.
