Buffy Poon

Hello.

I am Buffy, and I had the pleasure of being Laine’s aunt for the past 6.5 years.

Laine’s time with us was so brief, but in that short time, I learned so much from “girl”, as she was affectionately known amongst some of us.

I remember when we first heard about Laine. Our family was in Hong Kong, and we were at Anna’s parents’ place. Anna and Mathai called saying that they had news for us, and we all gathered around the phone. They told us the exciting news that they were expecting a third child.

I remember being very excited for them, but I was also a little concerned because Mia, Laine’s older sister, required so much care, and I thought, wow, a third child is going to be a lot of work on top of all that. How would they manage and stay sane? But that’s where I was totally wrong. When Mia passed four years ago, Laine was the light in our family’s hearts to guide us through that difficult time.  She kept us sane and reminded us that life was still worth living, even in the darkest of times. It helps me to believe that Laine was brought on this earth to help us cope with Mia’s illness and passing.

It was my mistake in hoping that the precious gift of Laine would last through my lifetime. My excuse is that I’m only human, and I can’t dictate my wishes and desired to the divine or to the universe.  Laine taught me to be yourself, and never apologize for who you are. She would wiggle her little tushy with so much crazy enthusiasm and take joy in being the best little bottom waggler in the country.

She would strike a pose with those little hands on her hips and revel in the fact that she had your attention, subtly smiling to herself behind her model pout because she knew how cute she was. And she knew how to put that cuteness to work: On a hike in Maui that was a lot harder than any of us anticipated, I remember Kelly and Mathew having to work hard, huffing and puffing while climbing on their own, while Laine was the cute little princess, fittingly carried on Mathai’s shoulders for most of the way up the very steep hills, not even breaking a sweat.

Laine taught me to go all out and not hold back. When she loved something, she loved it with a passion. She couldn’t just play Monopoly. It had to be My Little Pony Monopoly. Not only did she have to play My Little Pony Monopoly, but she had to win – Mathew was in trouble from his first roll of the dice. She didn’t just cook– she made dumplings from scratch, even making the flour wrappers from scratch. But no – that wasn’t good enough. She had to also make a video teaching all of us how to make the wrappers the right way, giving us her best Julia Child impression. She didn’t just play with dolls, but she made them outfits from whatever she could get her hands on.

Laine loved to draw, and I remember sometimes she’d color so much with her markers that she caused the paper to break apart from over-saturation.   Laine taught me to make yourself known. I always knew when Laine was around. First of all, you couldn’t miss her with the colorful clothes and fancy hair pieces she would wear, usually adding something with a little flair or bling, because what’s the point of being a wallflower? Then there was her voice that seemed to carry through multiple rooms. I always wondered how such a tiny person could make such a loud noise.

I think she would have made a great lawyer. Sometimes her logic on a topic would be a little off, but she was so sincere and convincing in what she said that you just had to believe that Twilight Sparkle, her favorite My Little Pony, was real and would be at her birthday party.  When I came home after going to the hospital on Monday, I walked through my door and on our little table in the foyer, there was a picture that Laine had drawn with her name written on it in big bold letters.

Next to it was a picture that her cousin Kelly had drawn for her, which she had forgotten to take home with her. It said To Laine, Love, Kelly, and had the words “Everything is awesome!” on it, which the girls had been singing that day. Laine really knew how to appreciate and live life. When I grow up, I hope that I can be like her and cherish life, squeezing out as much joy out of it as I can.

Maybe she already knew so much in her 6.5 years in a human body that her soul was ready, even if the rest of us are not ready for her to leave us.  In closing, I just want to say to Laine: I will miss you, little monkey. Thank you for touching us with your spirit and giving us the treasure of your presence and love in our lives. Laine – I promise you that even though I don’t feel like it right now, I promise you that for you and for those you love,

I will try my best to live the happiest life I can without your bodily presence, so that you can be at the top of the mountain, enjoying the vista, without having to break a sweat.