Vivian and Lendy

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?)

I learned that being Taiwanese is something I should be very proud of. I learned about the difficulties my grandfather had to face during the Japanese invasion. I learned about the poor conditions my grandparents had to face under the Japanese rule. I learned that my grandparents had strong Japanese influences, and those influences impacted my mother greatly. I learned that even though my ancestors came from China, that does not stop me from being Taiwanese. My mom taught me to embrace being Taiwanese and to be proud of it. She taught me to respond to ethnicity questions that I am Taiwanese, not Chinese. She made me realize how important my heritage is. According to my mother, “If you do not know your heritage, you do not know who you are.”

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

My earliest and most favorite memory of my mother was when we went to Sea World together. We went on a wet water ride called Shipwreck Rapids. My mother did not want me to get drenched, so when we arrived at the waterfall, she took her jacket off and covered me with it. It was during that special moment that my father took a photo of us. I love that picture. I always look back at that moment. I can still remember that day as if it were yesterday. We had so much fun together.

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?)

I learned that my attitude will basically dictate my whole life. If I have a bad attitude, I won’t go anywhere in life. However, if I change that attitude, I can accomplish whatever I put my mind to.

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?)

I love how my mother is so easy to talk to. She is just so relaxed. I can talk to her about anything and not be afraid of her judging me. She accepts me for who I am. She never tries to change me. I am proud that my mother has complete trust in me. I love how she is just so compassionate, benevolent and amiable. I love her kind heart. I love her ability to constantly want to help out the poor and the less fortunate. She always goes out of her way to help others. I admire how, despite the countless number of times people had mistreated her, she carries on as if nothing has happened. She always tells me to forgive others and to never hate anyone. She would tell me to look at my fingers and explain to me that the different lengths represents the various types of people in the world. She would say that not everyone is like me, but I just have to deal with that. People do not always see eye to eye and that it is impossible for everyone to like me.

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

My mother inspires me by her willingness to help others out. It makes me want to aid people in need. Her kindness motivates me to treat others with an open heart as well.

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 relationship with my mother has become even stronger than ever before. The bond between my mother and I is unbreakable. As the years have gone by, my mother and I have learned new things about each other.

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 love you, mom. I know I don’t say it that often, but I do. I love you very much. I am very sorry that you constantly have to put up with my moodiness. For every time that I have ever lashed out at you, I am so sorry. I truly appreciate everything you do for me. I am sorry if I have ever hurt your feelings. I did not mean to.

Is there anything else you would like to share? (還有甚麼其他妳想和大家分享的關於妳母親／女兒的事?)

You are the best, mom! Don’t ever change who you are! I love you just the way you are.