I’m from Hong Kong originally. I came to this country to go to college and art school. Since my college years, I always loved the song “Let It Be,” because every time I’m down, it lifts my spirits. And I dedicate this song to Mr. Smarlo Ma, my father.

My father and I had a really long relationship. He came to this country in the 1980s, when he was in his 60s. He’s a very complicated person. So, my life all of a sudden became very complicated, in addition to raising two kids and a career and everything else. We had a very deep relationship, but also a complicated relationship because I was so young then, and I had no experience in dealing with an aging parent. And nobody imagined that he’d lived to 103.

When he came here, he had a mental breakdown right away, in his 60s. He had a very interesting life, but he was very pressured in a lot of ways. So, you know, he’d probably figured: ‘I’m coming to my daughter, I can relax.’ After that, there were all kinds of things happening. He had a new family. He started his career again. He’s a writer, so he knows a lot of people internationally.

Then he ended up in all kinds of facilities like assisted living. He had surgery and after that, he wasn’t walking at all. In his last 10 years, he was in a wheelchair in a nursing home. He just passed away about a year and a half ago. I was very protective of him during the last few years. We went through so many problems together.

Two years before he died, he had a very minor foot injury. And, unfortunately, people at that age have circulation problems. So, the minor scratch on his foot became infected and became gangrene. It was really bad; it smells bad, it looks bad. 

So, the doctors insisted on giving him an amputation. But, at the time he was in comfort care and I told him, “No, sit.” I said, “No way, they’re not gonna cut this foot off.” Because, first of all, the surgery itself is not going to be painless, right? I don’t want to get too graphic. So, I had a big fight with the establishment and I insisted. I said, “No. Just give him painkillers, ok? And make him comfortable.” He was in comfort care anyway. 

So, finally, he healed! Yeah. And nothing happened to his foot. And then when he passed away, his friends gave him a big, big, big memorial. And I was there, and I was looking at him, and I was thinking: ‘I’m so glad I kept him in one piece.’ I was very proud of myself.

This song, “Let It Be,” is a very profound concept, right? Just let it go. Whatever problems that you have, it’s like the weather, the sunshine, and the rain, you know? It’ll come, it’ll pass, just let it go. You can have a difficult life, but it’s beautiful.

LET IT BE

By The Beatles

When I find myself in times of trouble

Mother Mary comes to me

Speaking words of wisdom – Let it be

And in my hour of darkness

She is standing right in front of me

Speaking words of wisdom – Let it be

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be

Whisper words of wisdom – Let it be

And when the broken-hearted people

Living in the world agree

There will be an answer – Let it be

For though they may be parted there is

Still a chance that they will see

There will be an answer – Let it be

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be

Yeah, there will be an answer – Let it be

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be

Whisper words of wisdom – Let it be

And when the night is cloudy

There is still a light that shines on me

Shine until tomorrow – Let it be

I wake up to the sound of music

Mother Mary comes to me

Speaking words of wisdom – Let it be

Let it be, let it be, let it be, yeah, let it be

Whisper words of wisdom – Let it be