吃苦 roughly translates to ‘eat bitterness’ and indicates that quietly enduring pain or hardship is as a virtue. At Chinese American funerals, mourners receive a piece of butterscotch candy in a white coin envelope. The candy is meant to be consumed immediately as a note of sweetness to counteract suffering. Afterward, only the wrapper remains -- a tangible object that holds memory and reminds us that grief inevitably leaves an impression. However, custom dictates that nothing should be kept or taken home, and it seems like wishful thinking that the ritual of eating candy will eliminate or silence my grief. As I contemplate the death of family members, I reject the attitude of stoic acceptance that has culturally been instilled in me, and savor bitterness for the perspective it brings to my life. Eat Bitterness is an accordion fold book that comes with a butterscotch candy and fits in a coin envelope. It is inkjet printed on vellum and features flattened wrappers that echo the lines in my palm and induces thoughts about aging and mortality. The vellum also retains memory and develops creases as it is handled. Open edition, 2 1/4 x 3 1/2” folded.