Grandfather's Journey

This is another book written, and illustrated by Allen Say. In 'Tea with Milk', Allen Say wrote mostly about his mom, May. In this book, he wrote lovingly about his grandfather. His grandfather, May's dad, left Japan to explore North America when he was a young man. He had a lot of fun, saw a lot of places, and buildings which amazed him.

He took a break from his travels, and returned to Japan. There, he and his childhood sweetheart got married. Grandfather took his bride to live in San Francisco. In 'Tea with Milk', we read that he took his whole family back to Japan, when his daughter, May, was ready for college. He was happy to be among the things he grew up with, and his old friends.

Allen Say came along when Grandfather's daughter, May, got married. He had a good relationship with his grandfather. Grandfather told Allen Say many stories about the California he had left behind. He began to miss his other "home". He missed it so much he planned to visit it again. However, the war forced Grandfather to put his plans on hold. He died without fulfilling his wish.

When Allen Say was "nearly grown", he left Japan to see California for himself. He stayed on, and built his family there. Like his grandfather, he began to miss Japan. However, he was more fortunate than his grandfather because he returned to Japan now and then, to see his old friends, and places with which he grew up. He wrote, "The funny thing is, the moment I am in one country, I am homesick for the other." Allen Say then understood his grandfather's mixed feelings.

Allen Say's mom had managed to bridge the two cultures she had "adopted", by marrying a husband with a similar background as her. She was able to practice mixed "traditions" at home. 'Tea with Milk" did not talk about May missing California. However, she might have. As the saying goes, the pasture is always greener on the other side. Allen Say had perhaps, found a way to have the best of both worlds. He lived in California, but was able to make frequent trips back to Japan. This may explain why so many immigrants like to form, or join a community of their race in a foreign country. They are trying to create a home away from home!