Our first gathering on the bustling college campus, filled with innocence, energetic vigor, and romantic wonder, feels like it happened only yesterday. Back then, our lives were simpler, and our friendship didn’t rely on shared interests—it existed simply for the joy it brought. Looking back, it’s almost miraculous how our bond has thrived for 54 years. I believe this longevity is due to understanding, acceptance, and love—the true foundations of any relationship between imperfect individuals. None of us could have imagined a “happily ever after,” but we’ve all faced countless challenges along the way. Yet, we remain grateful for the privilege of reaching this age and cherishing this enduring friendship.

Psalm 23 is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible. Its words and promises have often provided comfort during difficult times.

My granddaughter, Ro, holds a special place in both God’s heart and mine. Due to her speech disorder, she struggles to express herself verbally, and her frustration often leads to self-harm. When this happens, I gently hold her and kiss her head. This simple act of love has a profound impact—she stops hurting herself and craves more of these tender moments. This experience has deepened my understanding of God’s blessings—He anoints us with His abundant love.

“Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
— Psalm 73:25-26

As I grow older, my sincere aspiration is to gain wisdom. In the spirit of Steve Jobs’ words—”If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?“— I strive to live each day with purpose.

This past year has been filled with various projects. We revamped our landscape with numerous gardening endeavors. I’ve also started writing articles to rekindle my childhood dream of becoming a writer. Playing the piano and spending quality time with our grandchildren, family, and friends have also been some of the year’s highlights.

The past two years have been challenging due to the Covid-19 pandemic, bringing both positive and negative impacts. However, I am profoundly grateful for the journey, for the self-understanding and acceptance that have come with time.

As Louis Armstrong so beautifully sang, “I see trees of green, red roses too. I see them bloom for me and you, and I think to myself, what a wonderful world.”

Merry Christmas! We wish you all the best in 2022.