19+72: My grandpa's life is divided into two parts, the  "dark" Pescadores Channel is the boundary

This is not only a visual record of a family member but also a glimpse of the history-- a remembrance of the fallen of hope and the old era. 

2020 for me is a time to fix relationships with others, and a chance to understand, forgive and embrace those who used to have disagreements. In order to curb the spread of the virus, Taiwanese government has closed the border for unnecessary travels. Despite it felt awful not being able to travel around, I have opportunities to know the stories that happened on this land that has bred me.

My grandpa was born and raised in mainland China until 16. He lived a wealthy life without any worries during his teenage years, and things have changed with the outbreak of the war. In 1949, he fled to Taiwan, along with the retreat of the Government of the Republic of China, to Taiwan, hoping one day he would see his family again. Decades have passed, elders in his family have left. Seeing him in the last stage of his life giving me thought of an era that is coming to its end.‘

I used to dislike my grandpa because of his stubborn personality and our disagreements on the national consciousness. Since the pandemic has changed my original plan to study abroad, I have more time to spend with my grandpa. Even though my mom and my grandpa used to have disagreements for a long time, seeing my mom accompanying him in and out of ICU and home, I have learned that the bonds between families are unbreakable.

From that stubborn, capricious and mean grandpa to a petulant boy who needs all of our attention and love, I guess this has always been a life-long lesson for us, to be independent from parents by fights, and to love together with unconditional, nonjudgmental embracement.

Supraptt comes from Indonesia, and she has been caregiving my grandpa for over 2 years. Due to the lack of opportunities with higher salaries, Suprapti came to Taiwan with her husband and 2-year-old daughter behind. Without her delicate 24/7 consideration, the cost of long-term care would be exorbitant price. As a result, this series has captured the profound relationships between my grandpa and her.