When Julie Remembers Chi Fu Garden — Our Happiest Family Years

The other day, I asked Julie a rather simple question:

"What was the happiest moment of our marriage?"

I was curious about what she would say. After all, we have been married since 1975. We have shared many experiences, raised a family, travelled, faced challenges and enjoyed plenty of good times together.

Her answer surprised me a little, but it also brought back a flood of memories.

She said it was the time when we lived at Chi Fu Garden in Pokfulam, on Hong Kong Island.

Not a grand occasion. Not an overseas holiday. Not a special celebration.

Just the years when we were young, our children were small, and we were living together as a family.

A Home That Was Just Right

Looking back, Chi Fu Garden gave us what we needed at that stage of our lives. Our home was comfortable, and there was enough room for everyone.

We also had Ah Ying, our amah, who looked after the housekeeping and prepared our meals. Her help made a real difference to our daily lives. We did not have to spend all our time worrying about household chores.

That gave Julie and me something precious — time.

Time for ourselves, and more importantly, time for our children.

We could take them out to the nearby hills and streams. We could walk, explore, play and enjoy the outdoors together.

Those were simple family outings, but they gave us something that money could not buy.

We were not rushing from one appointment to another. We were not constantly thinking about what we had to do next.

We were simply enjoying being together.

When Happiness Was Simple

I suppose that was the beauty of those years.

Our children were young. Their world was still full of discoveries. A walk up the mountain, playing beside a stream, or spending an afternoon outdoors could become a wonderful family adventure.

Julie and I were young parents too. We had our responsibilities, of course. Work, family commitments and the usual worries of life were always there.

But somehow, we had found a comfortable rhythm.

We had a home, our children, a little help with the household, and enough time to enjoy one another's company.

We probably did not think much about how happy we were at the time. We were simply living our lives.

Only now, looking back, do we realize how precious those ordinary days were.

Julie's Answer Made Me Think

What touched me most was Julie's answer.

After all these years, she remembered Chi Fu Garden as the happiest period of our marriage.

It made me wonder whether we sometimes spend too much time looking forward to the next stage of life, hoping that something bigger or better will make us happy.

When we are young, we think about our careers, our homes, our children's education and our future.

We work hard to provide a better life for the family. That is natural.

But along the way, we may overlook the happiness already sitting right in front of us.

For Julie, happiness was not about having more. It was about having enough — enough space, enough time, and the people she loved around her.

I think she was right.

Looking Back With a Grateful Heart

Today, our children have grown up. Life has taken us in different directions, and the years have passed much faster than we could have imagined.

Chi Fu Garden is now a chapter in our family history.

But when Julie mentioned it, I could almost see those days again — the home, Ying taking care of the household, the children playing, and the two of us enjoying our young family.

Perhaps that is what marriage is all about.

It is not necessarily one unforgettable moment. It is a collection of ordinary days, shared responsibilities, laughter, family outings and quiet companionship.

I asked Julie about the happiest moment of our marriage.

Her answer reminded me that we had already experienced something very special.

We had a home. We had our children. We had time for one another.

And we were happy.

What more could we have asked for?

Sometimes, the greatest wealth in life is not what we have accumulated, but the memories we have made together.

— Grandpa Journey

#GrandpaJourney #GrandpaJourneyMemoir #ChiFuGarden #Pokfulam #HongKongMemories #FamilyMemories #FamilyHappiness #MarriageJourney #LifeTogether #GrowingUpTogether #HappyFamily #MemoriesOfThePast #LookingBackWithGratitude #SimpleJoysOfLife #FamilyIsEverything #A LifeWellLived

Grandpa David Au - Author

 

                                      2020 Richmond Hill, ON, Canada

Welcome to Grandpa Journey Memoir, a place where health, wisdom, love, and daily life come together in heartwarming stories. Through reflections on family, aging gracefully, and timeless life lessons, I hope to share experiences that inspire and connect us all. Many readers also know this blog as Grandpa Journey—a simple way of describing one grandpa’s path through life, filled with memories, knowledge, and moments worth cherishing.

I’m David Au, an 80-year-old lifelong learner, retired professional, and proud grandpa living in a cozy bungalow in Toronto. What began over a decade ago as a quiet retirement has blossomed into an unexpected journey—one filled with curiosity, discovery, and digital adventures I never imagined I’d take.

🌱 Retirement: Not the End, But a New Beginning

Retirement can feel like uncharted territory. For me, it started in 2011 with a simple question: “What now?” The answer came not from slowing down—but from starting something new. I began blogging, sharing life lessons and ideas with readers across the globe. Each post became a conversation, a connection, and a new reason to keep learning.

🧠 My Journey into AI and the Digital World

In recent years, I dove headfirst into the fascinating world of artificial intelligence, exploring algorithms, neural networks, and digital platforms. What began as curiosity became a blog dedicated to demystifying AI and tech for others like me—retirees, seniors, and lifelong learners eager to understand the world reshaping around us.

Through this journey, I discovered something beautiful: the internet isn’t just for the young. It’s a powerful tool for staying engaged, expanding our minds, and reconnecting with the world—even from the comfort of home.

👴 Grandpa Life: Where Heart Meets Wisdom

As much as I enjoy the logic of machines, I’ve found equal joy in something far older: the quiet, soulful truths we carry in our hands and faces. Between lines of code and lines on the palm, I’ve explored palmistry and physiognomy, not as superstition, but as storytelling—our bodies as living archives of joy, struggle, and resilience.

Today, I write not only about tech and tools, but also about what it means to grow older with curiosity—to reflect, to reconnect, and to cherish the simple beauty of being alive.

✍️ What You’ll Find Here

This blog is where I share:

• Stories from my past and thoughts from today

• Learnings from AI, SEO, and digital life

• Personal reflections on aging, family, and grandparenthood

• Explorations into palmistry, human connection, and ancient wisdom

• Encouragement for others navigating life after retirement

Whether you’re a retiree, a fellow grandparent, or just someone who enjoys thoughtful writing and lifelong learning, I hope you'll feel at home here.

💬 Let’s Walk Together

Blogging has taught me that we’re never too old to learn something new—or to inspire someone else. Life is an endless journey, and we’re all still discovering what’s possible. I invite you to pull up a chair, read a post or two, and join me in exploring the wonders of both the digital and the deeply human.

Thanks for visiting.