California | The Origins
Many called my sister, and I spoiled because we lived behind the gates. My parents had chosen a beautiful home on top of one of the hills, with a cul-de-sac. We had nice neighbors. My dad played tennis, and my mom would walk our dogs with some of their wives. While the outside property was kept, the toy box, library, and closets were always full—we never had a maid. My mom’s family was a victim of a thief when she was growing up, and she did not trust easily. The house chores were divided among all of us, and everyone had their part. While tedious and perhaps worthy of a few complaints, it kept us humble.
Yes, it was much like how Rafa kept his own clay courts each morning. It was no wonder to my dad why clay was his surface of mastery. Nadal and Federer were his Greats, and he respected them equally.
My sister doesn’t know what we found out about my mom’s sisters leading up to her wedding.
My mom had chosen to marry a good man, and they decided to build a good life together. It was a life that, when witnessed by her sisters and their children, was labeled “spoiled.” We knew it was more than what our parents or any of our relatives had grown up with; they reminded us of every chance they got, except for one cousin, who grew to be one of my close friends.
While I certainly believe that the children should not be punished for the success, failure, or actions of others, that didn’t seem to be shared.
It is a tradition in Chinese culture to gift a newlywed couple Chinese gold to help ensure peace of mind if the economy ever faces struggle.
The morning before my sister’s wedding, Mom asked for my opinion. There had been a dispute between her and her sisters about my sister’s wedding-day gift. Growing up, Mom had seen her mom wear beautiful pieces of Chinese gold and jade. One bracelet in particular was her favorite, with figures of coins. When her sisters sent an image of what my sister was to be gifted, it was asked,
“Where was her mother’s jewelry?”
Unfortunately, I knew exactly where it was. It certainly wasn’t lost, as her sisters claimed.
My sister and I had grown up with two loving parents, very much in love. It hadn’t occurred to me until she asked me whether she should be upset that I realized we might have been on the receiving end of envy.
It did not seem like a crime to me that Mom married a kind and good man whom she loved. He had genuinely and humbly promised his love, a wise man who would always treat her and their children with love and respect.
However, some would see that as a reason to punish for what they did not receive.
