Theresa Hsuan.....my dear, there will always be memories of

the times we laughed and cried together. They are locked

forever in a very special place in my heart. Our relationship was

truly special and your everlasting faith in God never ceased.

Theresa brought great love and reverence when she came

into my life. Let me tell you about the girl who was in my

heart before she was born.

My father & mother Harry and Anna Laura Krug had 13

children and I was the middle child--7th. Dad was an electrical

engineer and mom had learned languages and art & music in

college. Grandpa Krug had an import business and traveled the

world buying teas and spices. His stories fascinated me

because my imagination let me

travel with him. Once when he talked about China I became so

fascinated. I said, " When I grow up I'm going to have a

Chinese daughter named Theresa." I was hurt when every one

laughed, but the dream was already planted at 4 or 5 years.

Dad died at 44. The oldest was a son of 17 years and the

babies were twins of 2. Life quickly changed and mom was

working shortly after. Because my mother was always active in

politics and her church, our home was a nucleus for diverse

groups. She also cooked for the priests.

A visiting priest from Chicago was quite entertaining and he

began to talk about a priest he'd met who lived in Taiwan. He

was telling the story of a family of gifted children. When he said

the father had come to Taiwan from Mainland China. I suddenly

got excited and said, " Is there a girl named Theresa? "

He turned to me and laughed. " That's funny because there

are two Theresas. Do you want to know about the younger or

older one? "

" The older one. How do you think she would like to write to

an American? "

Well, after much talk, letters and arrangements I began

a conversation in letters

and English, and grew to really enjoy Chinese food 'cause the

cook translated my Chinese to English letters freely, I admit . I

have no talent in learning Chinese. When Theresa went to high

school I promised her I'd come to meet her when she graduated

if she'd learn English. She did. I did.

Eventually I took my 1st trip to the orient and part of Europe. I

met my dear Theresa and we did seem to bond well. I had

taken the name Theresa in confirmation, and her mom's name

was Anna like mine. So many things were right. But, the 1st trip

was short and sweet. In my meeting we filled in a lot of our lives

and talk – talk opened our hearts.

Later Theresa became a teacher in her father's school.

Her sister Maria came to USA to complete her schooling and

spent part of a summer with me. My son and I drove her to

Massachusetts to her 1st class.

Later I had another chance to go to Mainland China with a

professional group and I took it. I wanted to walk on the Great

Wall and experience feelings about the love I'd always had

for China. I even flew a kite on Tiananmen Sq. That wasn't

planned. It was a happiness, a delight! I would have almost 6

weeks in Taiwan with Theresa before I went home.

Mr. Hsuan was so kind and allowed Theresa to spend a lot of

time showing me her world. On one trip to the Mts., we did a

lot of hiking and stayed in inns where teachers and their students

shared and families vacationed. It was wonderful and the food

was mostly vegetarian.

On one road that we were hiking we came to a curve and

without thinking, I said, "when we round that bend there will be

butterflies to meet us." Of course Theresa laughed and

wanted to know if I was a witch! I said, " Yes."

The next thing we knew , around the bend was a massive

butterfly display on the street, in the air, and on the bushes and

overhead. It was astounding! Unbelievable. Neither of us

would talk about it for a long time. Slowly we moved through

and later we hitched a ride on a truck. The butterflies slowly

rose and flew away.

Two days later on our way home we were told there was a

path off the road that went to a green house. We wanted to see

the flowers so we started down the path. Theresa turned to me

and with a grin said, " Do you want to tell me what's at the

end of this trail? "

" Sure, seven white birds. " Neither of us of course was

prepared when ...there were together 7 white birds. For all the

years later when I'd write I'd slip in my tiny feathers that I found

in my yard. Always there was a magic thing between us....like

our relationship that was like mother & daughter in sharing our

lives & thoughts. We shared one more trip to the sea shore and

a couple days, stay in a tiny room minutes from the whispering

ocean. If you listen you will hear waters talk if you have the gift.

It told me many waters stories. The inn was run by monks but

we never saw them and we had to walk a mile or so to a small

town for meals.

Sun rises and sun sets were like peaches and cream. On a

sunny afternoon we sauntered down the beach and Theresa

took off her sandals and placed them high on the shore.

Barefoot felt good. A way down the shore we met college

students and of course we joined them. They were curious and

wanted to practice their English. Well, time raced and we

needed to hurry back because the tide was coming in. When

we got to where Theresa had put her sandals they were gone

and we saw them floating away on a nice wave. We screamed

and hollered, " Good-bye, Good-bye, have a nice trip."

In my life I've never had a more fun trip nor such pleasure

as only daughter and moms would share. I even began to

understand some Chinese.

I tell you about brief but wonderful times and magic and

giggles and sharing. Oh – when Theresa had her son she

allowed me to give him his Christian name John. My son is

named Kenneth John. John was a name I loved.

Now it's a sad time for me because one week after Theresa

passed I lost the sister closest to me. She had cancer & was 7

1/2 weeks in a hospital. Her name was Rosemarie Van Sice.

We shared our lives very closely. I knew her husband

Kenneth before Rosemarie did because he graduated from high

school with my brother Donald and me. She met him 3

years later and they would have celebrated 55 years of

marriage and with their 5 children and I think about 11

grandchildren.

Today I was trimming my miniature rose bushes and a

monarch butterfly landed next to me. I believe you know who

sent it to me on high breezes.

My time seems to stand still now and it's so difficult to think

I've lost a dear sister and

daughter within a week of each other. Where will my dreams

take me now!?

Knowing neither will ever suffer the pain of this world will

comfort me. Memories of my sister and I sitting on top of a

high hill sipping a drink and watching the sun rise and a mother

deer stand up after giving birth to twins will be as precious as

vacation with Theresa memories.

Theresa's faith in God let her lean on His everlasting arm

when she passed. God, bless my sister and Theresa and

keep sending me butterflies. I love you.........