“At 15, I set my heart on learning; at 30, I knew where I stood; at 40, I had no more doubts; at 50, I knew the will of Heaven (life’s purpose); at 60, my ears were attuned (i.e., my moral sense was developed); and at 70, I followed my heart’s desire without crossing the line.”
— Confucius
Dear friends,
As I turn seventy in 2019, I reflect on the wisdom of Confucius, whose words I now embrace: “I followed my heart’s desire without crossing the line.” Born in 1949, I have finally reached the age when I can truly follow my passions and aspirations.
Honestly, I haven’t had much time to focus on my age, as there are still so many things I wish to achieve in this golden stage of life. Some are unexpected; others are long-held dreams.
I have always loved nature. Each morning, I spend time in my garden, where I find joy in creating and discovering the beauty of God’s creation. My heart feels cheerful and peaceful afterward, as if recharged by the earth itself.
As a child, my dream was to be a writer. I’ve always had a strong desire to share my thoughts with others. For me, words become deeply meaningful once I’ve expressed them. Writing helps me connect with my inner self and others.
My mother loved to cook, and for her, it was an act of love. Some of my most precious memories are of the holiday feasts she would prepare for the family. Even today, my favorite place at home is the kitchen. I love hosting parties, trying new recipes from friends, and enjoying wonderful times with family.
This year, the lesson I’ve learned most profoundly is “Acceptance.” In human psychology, acceptance refers to recognizing a situation as it is, without trying to change it. Through my work with special needs children, I’ve learned that in order to teach them, I must first accept them as they are. Acceptance helps them gain confidence, even in their struggles. Confidence is rooted in our feelings and self-perception, and I strive to recognize and nurture their hidden talents to help them grow. I’ve also come to realize that adults often lack self-acceptance, which affects their self-esteem and can lead to many challenges in life.
This year, I’ve also come to appreciate the power of learning. Learning is what gives life meaning and helps us enrich our lives. When I teach our granddaughter Ro, a special needs child, her eyes light up with excitement every time she learns something new. Her eagerness to learn inspires me. I gain just as much, if not more, from the experience of teaching her.
James continues his volunteer work at the Tech Museum, while we’ve also enjoyed spending quiet time reading, watching movies, dining out, and playing with our grandchildren. Our four granddaughters are growing into charming young girls. You can see how they’ve blossomed in the photos below (Wei, 11; Ro, 9; Le, 4; and Qing, 4). We are fortunate that our daughters live nearby, so we see them often. Our grown-up children are doing well too.
Middle age can be a challenging time, as we juggle careers, families, and a sense of purpose. But it is also a time of great value, a time to overcome obstacles and fulfill our life’s purpose.
As Christmas approaches, I look back on the events of this year with gratitude. Each opportunity has brought me light and hope, though the journey hasn’t always been easy. With age, I’ve learned to grow stronger, to renew myself every day, and to cherish each moment. Aging teaches me to appreciate my years, to trust God with each step, and to celebrate every victory, no matter how small. With every wrinkle and gray strand of hair, I’m convinced that aging isn’t the end of something beautiful, but rather, the beautiful thing itself.
Wishing you, my dear friends, a Merry Christmas and a blossoming 2020.