Xiang Wang: He is my dad and friend. When I was a kid, China was still very conservative. However, my dad decided to raise me in a different way. He thinks happiness and responsibility are the most important things in my life. He encouraged me, when I failed in my academic exams, communicated with me every night to discuss what happened on that day, and created a very friendly and cozy living environment at home for me. I had a happy childhood. I will never dodge my responsibilities in any situation now! My dad always says: you need to be thankful for the things that happen to you to make you happy!
Ms. Xu: She was my kindergarden teacher, and the first teacher that I remembered since I was a kid. She taught me dancing and singing, which made me feel that I can be an artist when I grew up. She helped me to built up me the confidence in doing things in front of the audience.
Qingui Zhang: She is my mom. She believes that traveling is one of the best ways for children to explore the world. She took me to different places when I was on holiday, and she made me into a small traveller. I was popular in school, as I always had funny and interesting stories to tell them. And now I am still a traveller!
Keru Hu: She was my grandma, and died when I was 15. I grew up with her. She babysat me, showed me how to make traditional Chinese hand crafts, and told me the stories about her old days and the folk stories about Chinese culture and celebrations. Now I still can remember how to paper cut the "double happiness" this Chinese character for Chinese New Year, and I will do it for my family. I also share the stories that she told me to my cousins and my students at school.
Aunt Lan: She is an old friend of my mom. they have know each other for over 40 years. She lives on the countryside, and she is a farmer. The most exciting thing for me in Chinese New Year or in spring was to visit her family. I would go to the field to pick up the fresh vegetables, and to the garden to pick up the fruits. As we did not have any fields in city, that was almost the only chance I could enjoy the nature and the green. I felt I was like a butterfly in the fields, running around the flowers and breathing the fresh air there. I was happy and relaxed in the field by myself. I would forget everything that bothered me. Nowadays I still go there from time to time, her smile and her warm family atmosphere are the most relaxing thing to refresh myself!
Wow, what amazing childhood experiences. Thank you for sharing, it has given me the moment to look back into my childhood to remember those nurturing and happy moments. You have true mentors in your life and it sounds as though they will last your lifetime with those memories.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing, Sissi. I can feel the warmth of these individuals through your memories. I think it is amazing how many traditions you will be carrying on in your family. What types of crafts did you make with your grandmom? I'm not familiar with Chinese crafts, but I would love to learn more.
ReplyDeleteSissi, thanks for sharing your childhood memories about the people that matter the most to you. Family interaction plays a great role in a child's success. All a child wants is support. Someone to help them when they go wrong and someone to praise them when they do right. I also enjoy learning from people that have different cultural backgrounds. Your story about your grandmother was enlightening. It the little things that truely matter. Although making crafts and listening to her stories may seem small to some, it is a big deal to someone that shared that same experience-- my grandmother and I. Thanks for helping me re-live my childhood for a few minutes.
ReplyDeleteI think its wonderful that you are carrying on what these influential people in your life have taught you. I am sure as you continue to pass them on, you are going to be in someone's childhood web for your impact in their life.
ReplyDeleteI love that your mom took you traveling. I think it is so important for kids to get out of the surroundings are explore something new. It helps them grow as people.
Its awesome that you have these kind of people in your life. Your kindegarden teacher Ms. Xu reminds me of my elementary basketball coach. He taught me the game of basketball and made me feel like I was unstoppable.
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