Just Be.

This weekend was a humbling reminder of life. In pursuit of all that is the “American Dream,” it’s so easy to get swept up in the tsunami of the everyday and even easier to forgot how to simply enjoy the gentle lull of the waves.

This past weekend, my Uncle Gus reminded me of the importance of simplicity. Like his love of woodcrafting. And his willingness to just “fix anything” that needed fixing. He reminds me a lot of my husband who works super hard with his hands yet remains super humble. (Love that guy so much!)

Uncle Gus lived a long and fruitful 96 years. And he did it by being in the moment. He handcrafted wooden toys for all of his grandchildren. He didn’t shop on Amazon and have it delivered the next day. Instead, he used his talents and his time to shower his grandkids with love that will probably last many generations. I love that one of his grandsons has inherited all of those tools and a desire to pass on his love of handcrafting to others.

As I scanned the chapel during my Uncle’s service, I was struck at how many of us have lost our dad’s. Uncle Gus was the oldest of 6 children. He now joins his three brothers, George, Richard and Edward – my dad who passed away was I was 25. Uncle’s sisters Ruby and Crystal are active and healthy, blessed with a wonderful long-life gene. I just love how my Yeh-Yeh and Yin-Yin named the boys after royalty and the girls after precious gemstones.

There are 17 of us first cousins from those six siblings. So proud to be a part of this 4th generation, Chinese-American, San Francisco Bay Area-born group of amazing people. We are doctors, lawyers, Hollywood producers, teachers, actors, singers, dancers, financial analysts, start up professionals, secret government think tanks, artists, writers, healthcare workers, church leaders, non-profit managers, parents, grandparents… you name it, we probably cover it! It sure is a long way from the simple life of our great-great grandfather who took months on a ship to travel to San Francisco from China to work as a fisherman back in 1860.

In honor of our Uncle Gus, 13 of us first cousins gathered in San Francisco. In the bustle of life, we became scattered across the country… following love, children, careers. Over lobster-crab balls the size of softballs and roast duck, we laughed remembering Christmases with loads of home cooked foods, kids running everywhere and Santa visits (apparently it was that white guy from the newspaper – a close family friend, of course).

Life was so much simpler growing up: walking everywhere, handwriting letters, playing outside. “High Tech” was going to the movie theater and having an extra long extension cord from Radio Shack for our rotary phone. (#StrangerThings, anyone? Love that show!)

Today, life is so fast paced. Everyone seems hyper-focused on achieving the best: The best education. The best career. The best car. The best home. The best tech. The best kids. Sure, these are important goals. But in the pursuit, we lose the ability to Just Be.

Uncle Gus reminds me that just being in the moment and connecting with people are gifts that will last a lifetime. That, and apparently noshing on ramen noodles everyday for 30 years! So, take a moment and Just be. And, don’t forget to slurp!