When we added Hong Kong to our itinerary, we knew that this would be a busy stop.   We both had quite a bit of extended family to visit and hang out with.  Jonathan last made a trip to HK 12 years ago, and I, over 20 years ago. 

We had a LOT of family to see.  My side of the family is monstrous; my mother alone, has 12 brothers and sisters, while my father has 9.  Jonathan’s father has 3 sisters while his mother has 3 sisters and 1 brother.  Luckily, quite a few of our relatives live in Toronto, near us.

During our trip here, we met with the following:

From my mother’s side in Hong Kong
3 cousins + families
2 uncles + wives
1 aunt + husband
1 grand aunt 

From Jonathan’s father’s side in Hong Kong
3 aunts
1 grandma
1 grand uncle
1 cousin

From my mother’s side in Shenzhen (China)
1 cousin + family

From my father’s side in Macau
1 aunt
1 cousin

We love our family, even though we can’t choose them.  This makes sense because they have been with us our whole lives and been through all the good and all the bad.  But what about the family whom we have never known or even met?  Would we still love them?  Would they be any different from the new acquaintances we have made along the way?  And even more so with the language barrier, how awkward would this be?  We were even arranged to stay at my uncle’s house, which I have never truly met. 

From every first encounter, every introduction, we were welcomed with overflowing warmth and love.  Beyond expected behaviours and niceties, there existed a very real and deep connection that I still can’t explain.  There were so many differences between us, yet the bond of sharing something as unique as lineage was much stronger.  Meal after meal, visit after visit, our relatives took us in and showered us with their availability and resources.    In no time, we felt like, well, family.

Our time in Hong Kong really highlighted the blessings of family for Jonathan and I.  This is not because our families are perfect with no issues, since no families are.  But amidst all the stuff that could be going on, the family is the one that will stick by you, to the end.  And that is a pretty cool thing.

- joyce