Eunice and Her Mother

What did you learn from your mother about being Taiwanese? (妳從妳母親那兒學到甚麼是一個台灣人?)

Survival. I learned how to survive through thick and thin from both my mother and my maternal grandmother. They (and my entire extended family) persevered through the pain of Taiwan’s political oppression, through the imprisonment of my great uncle Reverend Dr. Chun-Ming Kao, in addition to keeping home life as nurturing and stable as possible.

Tell us about one of your earliest memories of your mother. (妳對母親最早的記憶是甚麼?)

One of my earliest memories of my mother is of watching her dance. My mother was and is very physically active. She took me everywhere with her when I was a toddler in Taipei– to the open-air markets, to the bank, to buy cat food for our gorgeous Persian, and to her dance class. I remember sitting quietly in the corner of the dance studio, watching the women practice ballet moves in pink leotards and tights. I thought they were all beautiful, my mom most of all.

What is the most important thing you have learned from your mother? (妳從母親／女兒學到的最重要的是甚麼?)

Multiple things: Do what makes you happy. Don’t be ashamed of who you are. Stand up for yourself and don’t take crap from anybody. Never forget where you came from.

Tell us about the ways that your mother makes you proud. (妳母親／女兒讓你感到驕傲的是甚麼?)

My mother, in her 60s, is enjoying life to the fullest. She and my father are even going to Bhutan later this week for the first time.

Tell us about how your mother inspires you. (妳的母親／女兒如何激勵妳?)

I’m inspired by the unconditional love my mother gives.

As time has gone on, how has your relationship with your mother changed? (隨著年歲的增長，妳們母女關係有怎麼樣的變化?)

My mother and I have had our ups and downs; I was not an easy kid to raise. Overcoming the rocky times has brought us closer. She is my confidante.

What is one thing that you would like your mother to know? (有那件事是妳希望讓妳的母親／女兒知道的?)

I say this to her often but it bears repeating: I love you, Mom.