琳达·钦·斯莱奇/LindaChingSledge
Myhusband, Gary, andIwereflyingtoHawaiifromNewYorkCitytoshowourfive-month-oldson, Timmy, ’, hehadmadeparticulardemandsonme, andthoughwewereverymuchalike, we’dgrownveryfarapart.
WhenIbecameateenager, , ’’dfollowinmymother’sfootstepsandenrollinthelocaluniversitytostudyteaching, andthatI’dmarryintooneoftheotherlong-establishedChineseclansontheislandsandsettledown, asheandmymotherhad.
ButIdidn’, IescapedtotheUniversityofCalifornia, whereIfellinlovewithahaole, -inBerkeley, , , , asfarfromtheislandsaswecouldgetwithoutleavingAmericansoil.
Myfather’’tvisit;, heneveraskedtospeaktome, , , andIfeltanunexpectedtidalpullbacktotheislands.
OnthelongflighttoHawaii, memoriesofmychildhood, whenIwasmyfather’ssmallshadow, , , .“Youaremysunshine, myonlysunshine,”hewouldsing.“Youmakemehappywhenskiesaregray.”Ilaughed, takinghisdevotionasmydue.
Nowtheprodigaldaughterwasreturningwiththefirstbornofthenextgeneration-ahazel-eyed, golden-skinnedhapahaole（half-white（
?IfhedisapprovedofTimmy, ashehadofme, thebreachbetweenuswouldbecomplete, Iwouldneverreturn.
Theplanelanded, andIgratefullyplacedacrying, hungryTimmyintomymother’.
Myfather’:“Goodtrip?”ThenhepeeredcautiouslyatTimmy, ?Afterdinneratmyparents’house, .
, buttherewerenocriesofhunger, , Iheardonlythesweet, .
Inthelivingroom, Timmylayonapillowonthefloorinacircleoflight, hisplump, , anAsianfaceburneddarkbytheHawaiiansun, , ticklinghistummyandcrooningsoftly,“Youaremysunshine……”
