I just stumbled upon this and it hit a spot in my heart so deep I’m in awe.
“I know joy was never a thing you learned to reach for.” 💔 Trying to rewire our parents’ minds to know joy while simultaneously trying not to drown ourselves is the most painful yet rewarding experience ever.
hi there! i just wanted to share that I was really inspired by this piece and chose to write a poem reflection on my dad and I’s relationship for one of my writing based classes this week :”) thanks for the touching read <3
This resonated so much with me! I thought of my parents, of their upbringing in poverty, my grandmother telling stories of hiding from Japanese soldiers, my mother barefoot until 7, and I can barely even comprehend the sacrifices they've made to ensure we never got to experience what they did. I wish I could read your lovely letter to my own mother, but that would require me to translate it to Chinese - and so this too shall remain a wish <3
I’m 49 and raised in America. I spent some of my formative years in China. I feel what you’ve written here very deeply in my bones. Thank you for sharing.
my response as an 82 year old who lost his Dad 60 years ago. I wish I could do watercolours. Have This translated and send to your parents. Seems to me that its from a long tradition... the Confucian trained scholar/administrator who illustrated his poems with pen and ink. It reflects a sensitivity that is rare.
I rarely cry and this got my eyes and nose running. such a beautiful read. here's to all the dads who may be incomprehensible to us but can't wait to go home to.
"I couldn't see the sacrifices you made to make sure I would never relate to this part of you"
I just stumbled upon this and it hit a spot in my heart so deep I’m in awe.
“I know joy was never a thing you learned to reach for.” 💔 Trying to rewire our parents’ minds to know joy while simultaneously trying not to drown ourselves is the most painful yet rewarding experience ever.
Beautiful, heartfelt writing 🫶🏻
hi there! i just wanted to share that I was really inspired by this piece and chose to write a poem reflection on my dad and I’s relationship for one of my writing based classes this week :”) thanks for the touching read <3
thank you for telling me! this makes me so happy to hear :)
This is beautiful. You captured the feelings of sadness, misunderstanding, and above all love so eloquently. The watercolors are glorious too!
This resonated so much with me! I thought of my parents, of their upbringing in poverty, my grandmother telling stories of hiding from Japanese soldiers, my mother barefoot until 7, and I can barely even comprehend the sacrifices they've made to ensure we never got to experience what they did. I wish I could read your lovely letter to my own mother, but that would require me to translate it to Chinese - and so this too shall remain a wish <3
I’m 49 and raised in America. I spent some of my formative years in China. I feel what you’ve written here very deeply in my bones. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for reading Karl. I’m happy it resonates with you.
next level beauty
love you
OUCH OUCH OUCH got me good!
sobbing. this is so real for children of immigrants, thank you for writing this.
sending love ❤️
This is a really beautiful, heartfelt piece. Thank you for sharing it :')
tears. immediately made me fucking cry. thank you for this work of art.
thank you for reading Melinda <3
i loved this so much
thank you!!
my response as an 82 year old who lost his Dad 60 years ago. I wish I could do watercolours. Have This translated and send to your parents. Seems to me that its from a long tradition... the Confucian trained scholar/administrator who illustrated his poems with pen and ink. It reflects a sensitivity that is rare.
I rarely cry and this got my eyes and nose running. such a beautiful read. here's to all the dads who may be incomprehensible to us but can't wait to go home to.
"I couldn't see the sacrifices you made to make sure I would never relate to this part of you"
I found this through a friend. It made me cry. I hope your baba finds these joys again. I hope you get to find them with him.
Heart-achingly beautiful ❤️ hope you guys get to surface for air together 🥹🫶🏻
This literally made me cry. This was beautiful