A message from Chi’s first wife Adrienne Cheng…

Posted by gina on Apr 15, 2009 in Chi Stories, Family Visits With Chi | 6 comments

I first met Chi Cheng when he was 23 and I was 22. He was in construction and had just dropped out of Sac State to focus more time on his band. They were playing small clubs for about $20 a night mostly in Sacramento and the bay area. We fell in love hard and fast and married only a year and a half later.

Chi was always very close to his family and upon spending time with them I realized why. They are fiercely loyal and unconditional with one another, like no family I’ve ever met. We used to go see them in Stockton nearly every weekend and Chi would cover his long hair in a hat and his tattoos in long sleeves from his Dad whom he had great respect for.

A few short years after we married I became pregnant with our son Gabriel. At this time Chi was off and on home from touring and liked to log in lots of times playing Scrabble and Yahtzee and reading comic books. Not your typical exciting rock star stories.

As success came Chi and I were forced to spend less time together and our relationship crumbled. Throughout the years I always insisted that Chi be a permanent part of Gabriel’s life and although he was not what I would call the ideal picture of a perfect father, he has been consistent and for that I am grateful.

For those of you that wonder why fundraising is necessary to a Grammy award winning musician I can tell you first hand there was a time when Chi was bringing in so little capital that the courts wanted ME to pay HIM child support during the long time between albums. Bear in mind I am a hairstylist and the money I bring in does not exactly put me on any top earner lists. Even during these hard times Chi would do whatever it took to make sure that Gabriel was provided for, including selling several of his personal possessions. The stories posted on this site from fans all over the world about Chi’s generosity don’t even touch what he has done for Gabriel, myself and my family. He was generous to a fault sometimes and often put his needs last to make sure everyone was happy.

We are confident that Chi is coming out of this coma. He is a fighter and has overcome so many obstacles in his life. I strongly believe he is still here for a reason and that a big part of that reason is that his son needs him. Gabe has handled this situation like a man and although at times he is heartbroken he still has the strength to sit at his dad’s bedside, hold his hand and sing to him when we visit.

As a parent I would like to take this opportunity to tell all parents to please take the time each day to remember to buckle up each and every time you get into a car. Make a living trust while you are healthy and well to make sure your children are provided for because you never know what might happen. This event is the wake-up call I needed to know that each day we are here means something and to never take anything for granted.

Last, I would like to thank each and every person from Gina to Jeff and Alice to all of the well wishers and donators. Your kindness has brought our family so much strength and we are so very grateful.

~Adrienne