There are three ways in which he influenced my life.
He spoke the right thing at the right time and at the right place. When my son was a teenager, he was rebellious and combative. He would argue with me ceaselessly like a biting bulldog without listening. Once, I almost exploded, and my uncle stepped in.
“Some of the highly-respected and successful people come to seek your mom’s advice,” my uncle said. “You don’t know how blessed you are.”
My son instantly shut up.
Since then, I have often played my uncle’s role when I’ve encountered anyone who is selfish and not thoughtful toward parents, family, and friends.
Although my uncle did not have an advanced college degree, his mastery of both the English and Chinese languages was incredible.
I often consulted him on translations of Chinese slang to English vernacular. His translation was even more accurate than a dictionary’s.
And you wouldn’t dare tell my uncle that you are hungry or what your favorite food is because he would shower you with so much food that his kitchen would be left empty. Knowing that I love waffles and homemade bread, he would bring me so much goodies.
I learned at his memorial that my uncle was exceptionally generous, not only to his family but to all of his friends and even casual acquaintances. My uncle was not a wealthy man, but his legacy of sharing was famous in his church and with friends from all over the world. ♦
Willfond Woo was kind to me as a stranger. I am friends with his daughter and met him once. He and his family fed me at a restaurant and we had a warm time of fellowship.