The year 2009 has been a challenging one for many people. The US economy had a significant impact on businesses and individuals alike. We found that some of our friends were facing financial difficulties. It reminded me of the time, many years ago, when we were in the same situation. I was inspired by an article from Robert Schuller: “Tough times never last, but tough people do.” According to Schuller, the difference between those who succeed and those who do not is that winners dare to dream. They commit themselves to their dreams and are willing to take risks. They understand that failure is merely an event in the process, not a reflection of who they are. They never quit. Reading that article helped me regain my strength to face tough times.
One of the highlights of this year was when we established a “Friends of Parents” fellowship. This group was created to allow parents, with children of all ages, to learn from and share their parenting experiences. With our busy schedules, it was a tough task, but the rewards have been immense. We’ve made many new friends and learned so much from them as well. We both felt that we should give back to society and share the abundant grace we’ve received from God. We will continue dedicating our time to this cause in our golden years.
Our children—May, Tom, and Chi—are doing well. Our granddaughter, Wei, is a 17-month-old bundle of joy. She is happy, funny, and content, bringing sunshine into our home and everyone’s hearts. She lights up our spirits, especially during the holiday season. Yong and Wen continue to work hard in our demanding jobs. At times, we feel overwhelmed and exhausted, but we remain motivated and excited about the new technologies we encounter at work.
Tonight, I woke up in the middle of the night and looked up from our newly renovated window, gazing at the shining stars in the sky. Even though they are far away, their bright light reached our bedroom, making the night a little less dark. I thought of you, my dear family and friends, and decided to write this letter to tell you how much I miss you all. I may be just one small, ordinary flower, but my life has blossomed into a splendid bouquet because of you. Please accept my heartfelt gratitude.
May the year 2010 bring love, peace, and joy into your life. May our friendship grow stronger and sweeter with each passing year. May God bless you.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!