Ask parents to be tolerate Date: Nov. 1973
Beloved Uncle Tang and mother,
How are you? I have received the letter and money from mother. Before we got the letter, me and uncle were extremely nervous, restless and impatient. The enormous uneasiness and worries in our minds were like a dead knot that couldn't untie. We feel relieved when we got the letter. However, like the letter, mother's distress and anxieties were sent to us as well. Reading the letter is just like seeing mother's gaunt face. We are very sad about it. However, we are not able to console and help you around. I wish I can console mother by writing several short lines (a short letter). Hopefully, you are not annoyed by those trivial matters and be happy again.
Though something happened this time caused you and Uncle (Tang) worry all the time, hesitated and frustrated, I hope no matter what happens, you should not have any conflict with Uncle Tang. Nevertheless, you and uncle Tang should always help each other, support each other and take counsel with one another, because whatever fortune or possessions you have, one day they will not belong to you. Only the precious affection and love never change (last forever), as they (affection and love) will bring eternal happiness to you. In time of trouble, you and uncle Tang should be patient and put heads together to talk over about it. Don't just get mad and irritable. Angry and irritability will not help. As is said, with anxious mind, you can't find tactics. What is more, you know Uncle Tang does care about you very much. Sometimes he lost his temper because he had some annoyance. He didn't intend to hurt you. Try not to fight with him. everything will be all right later on. In this dog-eat-dog world, you ought to be cautious in all matters. As is said, human feelings are as thin as paper, therefore, uncle Tang, you have to be careful with everything, and counsel with mother more often because we all hope you will be doing well.
That is it, mother, I understand you. However, I can only comfort you from far away. Please forgive it (for not being around you to console you). You and uncle should take care of your bodies. Don't hurt your health. Only a few simple wishes, but it is from bottom of my heart.
Wish you happy and healthy!
Niu
From Barbara
Nov. 1973
(Thank you Melanie for this translation)
敬愛的棠叔叔和母親：
你們好。母親的來信和錢都收到，可是在妳未來信時，可把我和舅父焦燥死了。心中無限的焦燥和掛慮真是如死結一樣，無法解開，直至前數日接到妳的來信，始安心下來。但母親內心的苦悶和煩燥都像信件一樣寄來給我們，看了來信，便有如看到母親憔悴的面容一樣，其使我們非常難過，可是又無法在身邊慰問和幫助，故只有希望用短短的數句來安慰母親妳，渴望著妳能放開煩雜的鎖事、渴望著你能重發出歡欣的心情。
雖然這次不愉快的事情發生了，致使母親妳和叔叔二人整天憂心和徬徨，但相信團結便是力量，所以希望無論甚麼事情的發生，妳都不可與棠叔叔有何衝突，反然要大家互相幫助、商量和合作，因為不論甚麼富有的財物，總有一天是不再屬於妳的，惟有珍貴的感情和愛是永恒的，它將會帶給妳永遠的幸福，所以當有麻煩的時候，妳和棠叔叔都要忍著，大家來一個好好的商量和策劃，不要只曉得發脾氣和暴躁，這一切都是無補於事，正所謂急而無謀，而且妳是知道棠叔叔是非常愛護妳的，所以有時他發些脾氣都是因心中實在太煩了，無意傷妳心，故盡量避免與他吵，過後便無事了。在這個人吃人的世界裡，真是凡事都要小心，正所謂人情薄過紙，所以棠叔叔希望你能夠自我小心，多些與母親商量，因為我們大家都是想你好的。
好了，母親，妳的內心我是會明白的，但我只有遙遙地安慰，希望妳能夠原諒，尤其妳和棠叔叔的身體都要自我照顧和保重，不要傷了寶貴的健康啊！雖然，只是數句的祝福，但卻是重重的心聲。
祝 生活愉快！ 身體健康！
女兒 囡囡上
From Barbara
七三年十一月
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