I knew that my grandmother had a very challenging beginning to her life, but I never knew the full story. She was born in Shanghai, China in the 1940’s, with her mom having fled there from Vladivostok, Russia, and her dad stationed there with the US Navy.
Shortly after, they were stationed in Manila, Philippines during World War II. After they arrived, her family became POWs to the Japanese in the Santo Tomas prison camp. At this camp she recalls how people were tortured and killed for simple things. She remembers that some of the prisoners would illegally get radios to listen to what was happening during the war. If they were caught, everyone would go to the central area of the camp and watch them get tortured or worse. For food, the rations were terrible. My grandmother barely had anything to eat and if she could, she would eat worms in order to get nutrients. This horrendous situation continued until they were freed by General MacArthur in 1945. She and her family then came to the western part of the US and were later stationed in Tripoli, Libya, before returning to Ohio where she met my grandfather.
My grandmother has always used an absurd amount of butter in her food. I always pondered why she used so much butter whenever she could. As it turns out, once she arrived in the US, she was handed a can of butter and gobbled it down instantly. Ever since, she has loved it. Now when I use a stick of butter, it will be a reminder for me of how my family got here and the hardships they faced.
Shortly after, they were stationed in Manila, Philippines during World War II. After they arrived, her family became POWs to the Japanese in the Santo Tomas prison camp. At this camp she recalls how people were tortured and killed for simple things. She remembers that some of the prisoners would illegally get radios to listen to what was happening during the war. If they were caught, everyone would go to the central area of the camp and watch them get tortured or worse. For food, the rations were terrible. My grandmother barely had anything to eat and if she could, she would eat worms in order to get nutrients. This horrendous situation continued until they were freed by General MacArthur in 1945. She and her family then came to the western part of the US and were later stationed in Tripoli, Libya, before returning to Ohio where she met my grandfather.
My grandmother has always used an absurd amount of butter in her food. I always pondered why she used so much butter whenever she could. As it turns out, once she arrived in the US, she was handed a can of butter and gobbled it down instantly. Ever since, she has loved it. Now when I use a stick of butter, it will be a reminder for me of how my family got here and the hardships they faced.
Great post, Leo! Terrific detail about the butter -- little reminders like that can say so much about our family histories.
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