Glory, you are 23.
June 23, 2008 is your 23rd birthday. In the past, we had always celebrated your birthday along with Mom’s birthday and Father’s Day. We exchanged gifts. We discussed about what to buy for Mom. Mom and I also talked about what to get you. You and Mom would buy something for me as well. We always celebrated with a big feast at a restaurant. Although your Mom and I did not put too much emphasis on the value of our gifts, we did appreciate a lot your creativity in making your own birthday card for Mom and Father’s Day card for me. You knew we were not particularly interested in the commercial greetings from store bought cards. You had always written your own expressions of love.  Because of your passing, Mom and I had embraced ourselves for a year of Father’s Day without a child to celebrate with, a birthday without your home-made card, and a 23rd birthday without your presence. But, none-the-less, you sent your representatives to celebrate with us.

Glory, your friends and classmates have not forgotten about you. They came to Chinatown and dined with me. They wanted to congratulate you happy birthday. Those still in school emailed me, and mentioned again the plants planted in your memory on school grounds. Although they were busy with their exams, they felt your presence on campus. Your outstanding mannerism, your typical smile, your rich creativity in suggestions for celebration are constant reminders that cannot be erased.

Fortunately you were no longer here when the Sichuan earthquake struck on May 12. Otherwise, you would have been really upset.  Your love for life and living was indeed deep. 2008 is such an unforgettable year.

The pain of a historical tragedy and the accomplishment of a great historical event:
The pain of a historic tragedy, the Sichuan earthquake is followed immediately by  the accomplishment of a great historic event, the Beijing Olympics. We do not have too much time for tears and self-pity. All that emotions would be quickly swept away by the joy and excitement of a celebration long awaited for by billions. At the brink of lost dreams of vast number of souls and families, rose the Olympic dream of many others, the accomplishment, the attraction of medals, the glory of world championship….dreams burning in the hearts of countless athletes. The extremity of events gave this dreamless generation a life lesson. It is important for the living to have a dream. Not the dream of conquering a computer game, but a dream to realize the true value and meaning of life.

I wish there was a television by your graveside. While I grieve beside you alone, I might also join China with shouts of joy. I probably would not be able to tell whether my tears are tears for you who had fallen, or for the athletes who would step onto that glorious podium for their medals. I wonder if my would be bitter or sweet, or maybe both. Regardless, tears are still tears, they represent a deep emotion from within. To cry, is a manner of expression which this shallow and instant generation has long forgotten. We are so used to crying within. When was the last time you tear on the outside? Death seems to be the last stop of life dreams, but it can also be the ignition of new dreams. Thousands of parents suddenly lost their only beloved child. Parents’ dreams had dissipated.  But from their deaths, many others experienced a change in life direction. For those we had fallen, those living vowed to live meaningfully for them. Glory, do you know that although you did not become a doctor, you have 2 good friends in medical school now? They told me it was you who had encouraged and inspired them on.

Glory do you know Mom and Dad have a new dream together? We wonder who would get to see you first in heaven? And, while on earth, we pursue to seek a new dream for our second half.