More on Lydia
Many of you have heard me talk about Lydia for years now, but some may be wondering who she is. I met her when she was a junior in high school, shortly after I moved to the town where she went to...
View ArticleSleeping Arrangements (pt 2)
Lydia’s parents have a little three-room house on the side of the public road, where they run a noodle shop out of their kitchen and sell general goods out of the living/dining area. They are at the...
View ArticleLydia’s Mom (pt 3)
The driving force that keeps Lydia’s family together, and keeps their business and their farm running, is Lydia’s mother. She is tireless. She never sits still. She does all of the food prep for...
View ArticleLydia’s Dad (pt 4)
In addition to asking me to bring my mom back to visit, Lydia’s father told me I can’t wait so long to visit again. I should come at least once a year for the holiday season, if not twice a year. He...
View ArticleWendy (pt 5)
Lydia’s dad has a younger brother, who happens to be married to Lydia’s mom’s younger sister. Lydia says this makes their daughter, Wendy, even closer in relationship to her than a cousin. I’ve...
View ArticleLittle Brother (pt 6)
Though the days are already getting warm at this time of year in GG village, mornings and evenings are still rather cool. To brace herself against the chill, Lydia’s mom would put on a thick, rough...
View ArticleDong Dong (pt 7)
Lydia’s brother had his pet birds, and her mom has Dong Dong, a scruffy little dog that stays close on her heels, whether in the kitchen making noodles or in the tea fields picking leaves. Dong Dong...
View ArticleLydia’s Grandmother (pt 8)
On two or three of my previous visits, I have walked up the mountainside to visit Lydia’s family in the village proper. Her parents had moved out of the village into their little house on the public...
View ArticleThe Youngest Grandchild (pt 9)
Lydia’s grandmother spends most of her time these days caring for the two-year-old daughter of her youngest son, while he and his wife work their fields. The tiny girl will hardly let anyone besides...
View ArticleSaying Farewell (pt 11)
This visit to their village will remain one of my favorite memories with Lydia’s family. Time spent chatting and catching up with each of them. A couple of evenings spent warming my hands over a pot...
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