Hello everybody! Happy day 9 of blogmas! I’ve not managed any two post days so far this week, but I’ll be starting to make it up to you today. For our first one, here is a letter Maisie Chan wrote from the POV of her character Lizzie Chu, whose gran recently died. Onto the post!
Hi Grandma Kam, Well, it’s been a strange few months! It’s going to be my first Christmas waking up without Wai Gong. It was hard enough not having you around, but everything changed again. I do miss our old flat. I wonder how Mrs McGuigan is doing?
You probably know this if you are looking down from heaven (don’t know if I believe in heaven but if there is, and you are up there – then I hope you are happy). Wai Gong has gone to live in a care home for people with dementia. I’m staying at the Phams now. Jane and Tay have been so lovely to me, and Chi is like the sister I never had. She’s so happy that I’ve moved in because now she gets to eat some chicken a few times a week instead of all the vegan food they used to give her.
We had such a lovely time at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom. Thank you so much for thinking of us. It was the most special birthday present I’ve ever received. I’m not sure how I feel about Christmas if I’m being honest. It’s not going to be the same without both of you around. We’re going to see Wai Gong in the afternoon though so it’s not that bad, I guess. The care home has arranged a little party in their lounge, and we’ve got presents to take to Wai Gong. I got him a pair of red mittens to match the scarf we made for him. I hope he likes them. He’s got a few friends there. One is called Mavis and she thinks she is part of the French Resistance during World War two. Her son, Michael says that she’s not French at all. She’s from Dagenham. But she likes to hide between the chairs and uses her fingers as a gun and fake shoots people. Wai Gong is doing tai chi once a week, they have a lot of activities to keep him busy.
Life is okay. It’s good that I don’t have to think about what to eat every day, or if we need to turn the heating off to save money. School have been pretty good about everything too. I’ve got a social worker now and they started a dance group at lunchtimes. I’ve joined up. I never thought I would be into dancing but it’s really making me feel good and helps me not be too down about things.
I know that you probably won’t be getting this, being as you are…well…you know. But I still think that you’re looking down on me and I think about you every day. Wai Gong mentioned your name the other day. He was twirling around the care home lounge in a waltz, and he was talking to you. The music didn’t quite match up though, so it was kind of funny – they were playing WHO LET THE DOGS OUT? Which as you know isn’t very waltz-y music!
Merry Christmas Grandma Kam wherever you are! You don’t need to worry about me anymore!
Lots of love
Your Lizzie
P.S. Chi still believes in Santa! But I think she only says that so she can get an extra present from her parents!
Thank you so much for reading! Have you read any of Maisie’s books? Which book character would you most like to recieve a letter from? I’d love to have a chat in the comments!
Speak very soon,
Amy xxx
Golden Books Girl 