Some of my final memories of my dear father from the evening of Jan 20, 2024 ...Upon hearing his diagnosis and about the need for emergency surgery, he was understandably scared.  But his face softened and smile brightened as soon as I arrived,  It was a look I knew well, and took for granted through my entire life -- as he beamed with love whenever we first saw each other.   He was always the conversationalist, even in awkward and tense times.  He knew how to connect with complete strangers he had just met.  The nurses overheard him ask me to have drinks on the other side of his surgery  -- and they all began guessing his go-to cocktail.  Neither of us had the gumption to tell them they were all good guesses.  Dad informed us all that lately he was partial to mango spritzers.  He loved our family with all his heart.  Despite having countless reasons to be preoccupied at this moment, Dad took this moment to inquire about the health of  Jerry's Dad (my father-in-law).   He was looking forward and still hopeful to play tennis with Xavier, as he had a new racket for him and we were just waiting for schedules and weather to align.    

As the hospital team was hastily preparing for his transfer, he told my mother how much he's always loved her.  He told Kelly he loved her and they shared in the power of positivity.  He told me he'd see me in San Francisco, that he loved me, and called me "Goggle" for the last time  -- which was my own childhood nickname I coined as a toddler when Cheryl was too challenging to say.  He threw thumbs up and peace signs to the many medical and support staff that were rooting for him as he made his way to the ambulance.  This will be my final memory of Chuck Wong, my father -- who had a heart of gold and celebrity style.