I don’t have a bucket list. If I had one, a visit to my ancestral home in China would surely be on it. I have not seen it since leaving it at 6 years old. Though I have travelled to Asia and China a couple of times, I have not been anywheres near my village in Taishan county. It was my one great desire in my younger years. Now I do have the belief that sometimes you can never go home again.
The good thing about technology is that I am able to see how things have changed ‘back home’. My grandfather had built a new house for his family just before my father was born. It is two-storied and housed 2 families, my grandfather’s and his brother’s. It had 2 kitchens, one on each side of the house. It also had 2 bedrooms on the main floor, one on each side. I do not remember how many bedrooms upstairs. I will have to quizz my father on that.
After we left for Canada, the house was solely inhabited by my grandfather’s brother’s family and the house gradually fell into disrepair. It was not till recently, one of my cousins took an interest in retoring the house back into glory. It is 93 years old but was solidly built and of good material. This cousin felt a debt to my grandfather for the house as well as their livelihood. It was my grandfather who sent his hard earned money back to China for both the families. This is how the house looks today.
If I was to have one regret, it would be that we haven’t been back to our ancestral home. It would be wonderful if it is our family sitting in front of our house instead of my grandfather’s brother’s family. I have to give them credit for pooling their resources together to fix up our/their house. I am happy to see that they have placed a portrait of my grandparents in the upstairs hallway. You can see the doors to two bedrooms on either side. It’s a wonderful celebration of the house and our ancestors. I am sure they are proud.
onethousandandtwo 
They have done a wonderful job of restoring the home to become a shining star in the neighbourhood. I can see why you feel like you would like to see it again. It does seem like their neighbours may not have the same pride in their home.
Doug, the house is in a village. Our house looked much like the neighbouring ones before the renovation. Most of the young people don’t like living in the village and have flocked to the cities.
Wow! It’s beautiful!! What a great restoration. I’m sorry you haven’t been able to go back to see it, but so glad you’ve been able to see those pictures and hear the story of its renovation.
Thank you, Jeanine. I don’t think I will be going back but you just never know. I tried once but my schedule and the bus schedule back from Hong Kong were obstacles.
Lily, what a large and beautiful home. It really sparkles, now that it has been restored. Perhaps you can “borrow” others’ memories of the house.
Thank you, Kebba.
The windows are very interesting. I understand what you said.You can never go back anywhere. Especially if you give money and didn’t really expect anything.Your father is a very generous man and his generosity shows. I have seen with most families that have shared property, only few have truly equal share.I am not sure how things like that work out in China though.Great post and a lot if food for thought
Thank you.