Beloved Uncle Tang (I guess Barbara called her stepfather Uncle Tang) and mother,
I have not heard from you for a long time since the sound-recording from you last time. I had been worried about it and was looking forward to hearing from you. I had wanted to write to you to ask about it. However, various tests in the last few weeks caught me on the wrong foot and it was hard for me to deal with. Then suddenly, I got a phone call from mother around 3A.M.last night. I should have been glad to hear from you; nevertheless, I got a chilling feeling when I heard mother's tone. There must be something made mother agitated and anxious (worry). But, I didn't know how to console mother at that moment, so I decided to immediately write this letter to ask for the reason (what happened) and also to persuade mother to take it easy and not to get too angry. In this dog-eat-dog world (cruel world), we can't prevent more. Only when we don't panic in emergencies and keep a clear conscience, can we deal with it. Mother you don't need to deal with those sly and inhuman wretches, because good and evil will always be rewarded, it is only a question (matter) of time. I don't believe we will be bullied forever. So why don't we just take the short end of the stick this time? We can start it over again so long as we work hard. The most important thing is your health. Mother, you can't get too annoyed, it will hurt your health. Why care so much?
Everyday each one of us wishes you happy and healthy. I believe God helps those who have good wishes. You don't have to worry about us, since we know how to take care of ourselves and take care of the family. Everything is fine in the family. Mrs. Fang and Godmother come to visit us whenever they have time. They also asked me about you, I answered their questions and also expressed your appreciation to both of them. Mother, I had said that no matter what happens, you should not fight with Uncle Tang, because you need someone to talk over with and take care of you. I hope you can calm down, forget the unhappiness and have a happy and easy life soon, we will be happy about it. That is it, please say hello to Uncle Tang and tell him I will talk with him next time.
Wish you happy and healthy!
Daughter: Niu
From Barbara
(Thank you Melanie for this translation)
敬愛的棠叔和母親：
自上次來的錄音至今，未見音訊，早而為之焦急和盼望，本想去信問之，可是數星期來多樣的測驗，令我措手不及，難於應付。直至昨夜三時許，忽聞母親來電，本該歡欣才是，可是一聽其音，便為之心寒，知道母親必定有事而使妳焦操不安，但當時之突然實使我不知如何慰問，故只有希望立刻寫此封信，一問其原因和勸母親凡事都要看開，在這個人吃人的社會，有時實在是防不勝防，只要自己做事心安理得和能臨危不亂才能應付，所以母親妳亦無需與那些奸狡的小人作對，正所謂善惡到頭終有報，我才不相信我們會被人欺負到底的，故倒不如吃虧一次算了，我們有的是勞力和勤奮，可以從頭再來。此外，最重要的還是要保重自己的身體。尤其母親妳，是不能激氣的，因為這樣會很傷身體的，那又何必呢？
我們每人每日都是在祝福妳的快樂和健康，相信人有善願，天必助之。而妳亦無需憂心我們，因為我們會自我照顧和打理家事，家中一切都平安無事，馮太和代母一有空都來探我們，而也必定問及你的近況，我都替你一一答謝她們了。母親，我也曾說過，無論甚麼事情發生，你都不可以與棠叔鬧意見，因為你是需要有人與你共商共量和照顧你的，所以希望你能平息憂慮，早日過著無愁而開心的生活，那我們便歡欣了，好了，請代問候棠叔叔，說我下次才與他相談。
祝 生活愉快，身體健康！
女兒 囡囡上
From Barbara
七三年十月六日
Comments