My father in law, who is no more now, was from China.
His name was Chan Shiow Shen (Chan was the clan and Shiow Shen was his name) and he came to Mauritius around 1950. For some reason, he also became known as Ah Koon. A few years later, he met Asmah, my mother in law, who was Muslim.
They got married, got kids and Asmah decided to become a Catholic. She became Bernadette and Shiow Shen became Donald. By that time, Chan Shiow Shen had become the family name and, therefore, the two had become Bernadette Chan Shiow Shen and Ah-Koon Donald Chan Shiow Shen. Must have been funny for Shiow Shen…
One of the kids was of course Marie Christina Chan Shiow Shen who was born in 1975 and who was baptized when she was a kid. The others were Dany, Liliane, Annette and Dominique.
In 2014, Shiow Shen had his major achievement. He went back to China on his own for a few weeks to meet his family after more than 60 years!!! When he came back, he was immensely proud and happy.
He passed away one year later in December 2015.
Two months ago, at the beginning of December 2019, Liliane, one of Christina’s sisters, felt an urge to remember Shiow Shen, four years after he had passed away.
Together with Dominique, Christina’s little brother, they took the responsibility to organise an ancestor veneration ceremony (shèn zhÅng zhuÄ« yuÇŽn) for their dad.
We were all quite emotional on that day.
Anyway, on this day of the Chinese New Year 2020, I felt the need to write a bit about Shiow Shen who was always a very nice guy to me.
So Happy New Year (xīn nián kuà i lè) to all of you and enjoy life to the full.
Lovely ancestry, we need this kind of uplifting story in these times. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for writing about our dad Avinash. He did like you very much!
I remember also when his brother came from China and they met at their sister’s place, Tante Hélène, who has also passed away. The Chinese siblings were meeting for the first time after around 50 years of separation. We were all in the news!
So many stories to be told.
Very interesting dear. Paying tribute to out elders .. they are indeed reservoirs of knowledge and experiences which need to be shared with coming generations.
Thanks again.
Thanks Avi. It made me all emotional. Small correction though. It was I who felt the need for the remembrance ceremony although Dom acted as the ceremonial master (as a good son should do). Kung Shee Fat Chay to all!
Ok. I’ll update the post accordingly.