Colleen’s Poetry Challenge – Poet’s Choice of Words
Colleen’s 2019 Weekly #Tanka Tuesday #Poetry Challenge No. 126, “Poet’s Choice of Words”
The last eight weeks, our family went through many special occasions and experienced extreme emotions.
My nephew got married on January 19 this year. He met Summer when they studied for the master’s degree program. Enoch speaks Cantonese and Summer speaks Mandarin. During their courtship, they learned each other’s language. Of course, Summer’s parents speak Mandarin and my sister Yolanda, her husband Patrick and their daughter Eva speak Cantonese. Some family and friends speak English. So, the wedding was conducted in three languages. The vows in the wedding ceremony were done in Mandarin. During the break of the evening wedding banquet, Enoch serenaded Summer in Cantonese. It was the most romantic song I had ever heard.
The wedding was a whole day event. The groom and best men played the games responding to the bridesmaids when picking up the bride in the morning. The church wedding followed by a garden cake cutting ceremony in the afternoon, and the nine-course banquet in the evening.
The family and friends rejoiced with the young couple and celebrated the new beginning of their marriage.
On January 17, we said goodbye to Canty, a mother of two sons, mother-in-law, grandmother, sister, an aunt, a good friend, a graceful ballroom dancer. Our family in Hong Kong sent her off in a celebration of life and cremation on March 2nd and 3rd. We’re thankful to be there to let her know we love her.
On February 25th, we welcomed the newest member, Tori to our family. She was my niece’s first baby and my sister-in-law’s first grandchild. Baby Tori brings so much joy and excitement to the immediate and extended family.
Family
Friends may come and go
Family stays forever
Happy or sorrow
We laugh, weep, mourn together
Ties go beyond all measures
I love reading about how families stay together and celebrate their joys (like the gorgeous wedding) and the sorrows (saying goodbye to beautiful Candy), and within it all, the joyfulness of new life. Tori is a blessing. xo
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Thank you so much, Pamela! I’m thankful to have a family close together. I appreciate your comment! ❤ xox
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This is so beautiful…. The wedding was gorgeous! What an interesting story! Sorry for your loss.
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Thank you! Yes, we miss her but we’re thankful to be there!
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Beautifully evoked Miriam. Stay blessed. ❤
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I appreciate your comment, Debby. Yes, our family is blessed. ❤
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❤
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❤
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grand celebrations
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Yes, Michael, beginning of marriage, journey in heaven and earth.
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A lovely expression of what it means to belong to a family, Miriam.
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Norah, I’m thankful to have a close family. Thank you for your comment.
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Thank you for sharing you joy, grief and celebrations , lovely poem too. You are blessed.💜
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Yes, Willow, it’s a blessing to share all those with the family. There are so many people who don’t have close relationships with their families. I know some of these people, so I’m thankful for my family. ❤
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I am happy to for you 💜
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Thank you for cheering!! ❤
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💜💜💜
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❤ 🙂 ❤
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Ahh … Miriam, you all had such beautiful time. Filled with fun, joy, new beginnings and dance.
Love your pictures
miriam
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Miriam, we had all these happened in such a short time. My sister is dancing in heaven right now. Thank you for you lovely comment! Miriam ❤
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Wonderful Miriam 🙂
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Thank you, Brian. 🙂
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