Oo Deah Ah Ma, Ba, Sieng Aie, “Thank you Mother, Father, God.” The first prayer of thanks, taught to me by Mommy, is still relevant now. My life has been truly blessed.
My grateful thanks to family members and friends who generously shared their memories, both bitter and sweet, to enrich this memoir. Much of this book would not have been possible without crucial input from my sister, Wong Lai Quen; my cousin, Choi Yee, and her husband, Chuck Min Wong; our family’s friend and neighbour James Wing (particularly his experiences upon his arrival in Canada); and King Fong Wong, known to me as Ah Aie Goo (especially her stories about my mother as a young woman). My thanks also to May-Ling Dong, Guan Haw One, Bing Fuy Guan, Bing Doon Guan, Samoy Guan, Ed Lee, Bill Seto, Alban Ung, Simon Wing and Mary Diovisalvi, Li Sheung Huo Wong, Ngan Jean Wong, and Truman Wong. Although I did not know Len Jung Hong, his story about sailing to Canada, as recorded by Teresa Low, stored in the BC Archives, helped me piece together my father’s first voyage to his chosen country.
I am indebted to the Mazatlan Writers Group, especially Rick Azulay, Sue Carnes, Larry Collins, Marie Hermanson, Barbara Horton, Angela Jackson, Kat Karpenko, Spencer Kluegel, Mike Latta, Dilly MacFarlane, P.J. Reece, and Len Sipe, for the members’ honest critiques and unwavering support for my writing over the years. The following individuals, some of whom were complete strangers, kindly shared their expertise and patiently read through, or listened to, early drafts: Jinx Barber, Dr. Hung-Min Chiang, Marilyn Harris, Dr. David C. Lai, Jean Miller, Nola Money, Jan Wong, Susan Wood (and the ladies of the Women’s Art Association of Mazatlan), Donna Wuest, and Jaycie Zhang. Among my long-suffering cheerleaders have been Andrew Glen, Gitte Churlish, Mary and Harry Shaw, Terry Taylor, and Sarah Trevor—my humble thanks to you all. I ask forgiveness from anyone whom I have inadvertently missed.
Special thanks to my editor Joan Dixon, whose pithy insights clarified my thinking on my first draft; and to Eury Chang and Jim Wong Chu of Ricepaper Magazine; Wei Djao and Anthony B. Chan of Ginger Post Magazine; Ellen Rooney at the Royal British Columbia Museum; and Wendy Nordvik-Carr at The Vancouver Sun newspaper, who all gave me opportunities to share parts of my parents’ story early on.
My most grateful thanks go to my publisher, Ruth Linka, of Brindle & Glass, who has placed her trust in this fledgling writer. She and her team have been welcoming and accommodating. To Marlyn Horsdal, my editor, who coaxed my best work onto paper, Oo Deah.