Gina gave me the "Glass Palace" by Amitav Ghosh as a way of introducing me to her father's Burma. It's an epic novel that leverages the lives of three generations of Burmese and Indians to illustrate the tumultuous economic, social and political changes in southeast Asia from the 1800's when Burma's king was ousted from power, to modern day Myanmar.
I was eager to dive into "The Glass Palace" because I wanted to get a glimpse into a dear friend's background. Her recent attempts to return to her father's homeland have been foiled by political unrest and so I was keen to "study up" on Burma to be more in the know and as she suggested, get inspired to eventually explore the country with her as my guide. I expected the book to connect me to Gina's inner Burmese, but it didn't. Instead I found myself reflecting more on Gina's maternal heritage, her relationship with her mother (who isn't Burmese) and her amazing daughter, Charlotte.
One of the main characters in "The Glass Palace" is Dolly, nursemaid to the Second Princess. She is an exquisite beauty, stunning and breathtaking, yet unaware that she is. So too, is my friend Gina. Yet, unlike my Gina, Dolly is passive, accepting life's circumstances without challenge or verve. This changes dramatically though, when her child falls ill. Dolly's resolve and determination to support her sick son through recovery again reminded me of my dear friend.
Gina's daughter Charlotte came into the world early, very early. Born at about 1.5 pounds, the Rayfield Peanut was frail and tiny and as you'd expect, her premature arrival transformed what was supposed to be a joyous time for her family into a frightening one. Strangely, nearly thirteen years later and because of a nudge I received from Dolly in "The Glass Palace", I find myself drifting back to that period that forever transformed my friend's life.
Naturally, we were focused on Charlotte's condition, never expecting things to get hairy for Gina. Yet, as her newborn daughter was being cared for in the NICU, Gina started to bleed and bleed and bleed and late at night, was whisked from her room straight into emergency surgery. As just one support entity nearby for the family, our focus was on Mike, Gina's husband. It's not necessary to recall the details of the discussions we shared during that difficult time, but suffice it to say the man adores his wife -- as he should!
Interestingly, "The Glass Palace" has forced me to change the lens on how I look back on Charlotte's birth. Having just read about Burma, Malaysia and India through the eyes of child, parent and grandparent, I began to reflect on that crisis from the perspective of Gina's mom. How did Lynn keep it together when in a flash, both her "baby" and "grandbaby" were in a fight for their lives? I wrack my memory to recapture the images I have of Lynn at the hospital, talking to Mike and other visitors, so calm and strong. I imagine how I'd have handled the situation if I were in her shoes. Since I'm sure I'd have been a blubbering baboon, I am convinced I've screwed something up on my recall.
But, I know I haven't. Just like Dolly, I now understand that Lynn dug in deep and tapped into her Momma strength, something powerful and mighty. And magically, or genetically, she's passed that inner courage onto her daughter.
For the last 13 years, I've been blown away by Gina's resolve. It's almost as if she, like Dolly, has a spiritual connection that powers her tenacity and it's that drive that has helped transform the Nut into Charlotte, the beautiful, talented, delightful and bigger than life preteen that she is today. Yes, Charlotte has had her share of issues due to her premature start to life, but Gina helps her daughter simply take it day by day. And because of that, Charlotte has the very best -- care, experiences, opportunity, and dreams a child could ever have.
I look ahead ten, fifteen or twenty years from now -- to when we get to watch Charlotte find her way as a Mom. I can't wait to experience the deja vu moments we'll enjoy recalling the history of her maternal line as Charlotte taps into her own inner courage to fight for her babes. When it's time, remind me to tell the Rayfields, I want a front row seat to enjoy the show.
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