One day in 2004, I received a phone call from my daughter, Janine. During that call, she asked if I remembered a Dr. Brueske. I told her, “Sure, I met him in Hong Kong.” She had met his grandson and from that day our families have been linked.
During our first gathering, we reminisced and figured we may have first met at Clear Water Bay in Hong Kong in the 1960s where her father was a missionary surgeon. We soon learned we knew many of the same people who they met on their travels, a large number who were in the area. Many more frequent visits occurred over the following years, which turned into almost weekly visits when Janine and Jamey got married. Meals at Lotus Garden, Happy Family, and of course, Souplantation.
When Janine became pregnant with Jalen, we were all excited. Alarmingly, there were complications. Kathi helped with several ultrasounds. Jalen, forever, became associated with “Finding Nemo,” with her prayer for him to “Just keep swimming,” first brought about from Brian, Emilia, and Miles card of well wishes during the pregnancy. At Jalen’s one month old party, she gave a very illustrative history of her and Richard ‘s ancestral lines to celebrate Jalen’s first month in this world. She also helped plan such an exuberant, fun, Finding Nemo themed, first birthday party.
When Kathi came down from Washington, after lovingly and meticulously tending her mother, she continued her caring ways. Many afternoons and nights were spent reading, singing, playing “Chase Around the Cars,” searching for toys, clothes, and books for all the kiddos, and staying with the boys till they fell asleep.
Kathi demonstrated an exemplary, loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, and friend.
May we all meet again in heaven, the new heaven and new earth, where there will be “no more night, no more pain and no more tears.”
Love,
The Giang's
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