ho chie's blog: 10.2007

Reunion during the National American Academy of Pediatrics Conference.

Class of 2005.

Seble and Cherie!

Tammy, Reshma, and Kathy!

My seniors when I was an intern.

Feasting at the House of Prime Rib... Midwest style.

Yaacov, Carolyn, me, Nancy, and a chef.

Kev, Brendan, Young, Ted and his friend Chris.

A surprise visit by Sophia!

Day #3 in DC

With our herringbone jackets.

Tina!

Ava is way too cute!

Fireman Jay!

Day #2 in DC.

Brunch at Dupont Circle. Howard and Zeyen.

Deborah and Juliana.

Hanging out in the Adams-Morgan neighborhood.

Smiling with Susan.

Day #1 in DC.

Dim sum with the FAPA-YPG crowd.

Carolyn and Iris looking hot with Taiwanese American pride!

ITASA leadership young and old.

A surprise visit from Audrey!

NATMA 2G's Ilin represents.

Annie, a TAF '91 camper - another unexpected reunion!

Old Illinois friend NaYoung!

I would like to order some Sunshine, please. Supersize it. And if it's not too much trouble, please add a little Love on the side.

Happy Birthday Ai-Ling!

With Becky and Amy during a Sausalito sunset.

A gathering of Taiwanese American health professionals.

Post-dinner hang-out at Jerome's beautiful residence.

Feels like a museum.

A Letter to you, Ma, on your 60th birthday.

I often think back to my childhood, and how you shaped me into the person I am today. In fact, many of my personality traits, I inherited or learned from you. So, I want to share with you what I believe are the most valuable gifts you have given me:

You taught me to enjoy every day of my life.
When I see how each morning you look forward to taking a sunrise walk along the beach, I too feel your energy awaken. You remind me that life is a gift, that every sunny day is a treasure with new possibilities.

You taught me to follow my own dreams.
You have been a dreamer all your life, and I know that you have often set aside your own dreams for us, your children. But as we have grown older, you have reclaimed your own life dreams, living life on your own terms. I admire your bravery, your heart. And, I know I can take my dreams to reality, too.

You taught me to persevere through the rough times.
Over the years, I have realized that life hasn't always been so kind to you. I don't pretend to know how it really feels to have experienced all that you have been through. But despite all the ups and downs, the difficult periods in your life, you manage to push through, perhaps knowing that the future will always be better. You have so much strength inside, and I wish I could be as strong as you.

You showed me how to cherish the people in my life.
Everywhere you go in the world, your friends are there for you. I am constantly amazed with how deep and lasting your connections are with your friends. I have seen many times how your old friends instantly reconnect with you again, even if it has been weeks or decades since you last saw them. I only now am starting to understand the power of true and lasting friendships.

You accept me just as I am.
I can see the pride in your eyes, not just for what I have accomplished with my life, but for who I am as a person, for what I believe, for my passions... And with simple gestures of acceptance - the hugs, the kisses, the gifts - I know I have done right in my life.

I am proud to be me, I love what stand for, and I am excited about where my life is going. My approach to "living life" has been your gift to me.

So on your 60th birthday, I honor you with the only thing I can give completely - your son's loving heart.

I love you, Ma.

Ho Chie

Cindy gave me a birthday card with this beautiful poem. I loved it. Thanks Cindy. Happy Birthday to you, too!

Who in their life
hasn't planted a peach pit
just hoping that somehow
a seedling would grow?
And then they move on
to some other adventure,
and if it comes up-
well, they don't even know.

That's one way
of picturing your style of living.
You've planted ideas
and dreams unaware.
You've noticed somebody
whose heart needs attention
and planted a positive feeling in there.
It's part of your nature.
You may not remember
the kind and encouraging
things that you've done...

But everywhere,
"peach pits"
are growing like crazy,
and people are blooming.
(I know it-I'm one.)

This past weekend, I visited LA primarily to hear my filmmaker friend Karen speak on a panel regarding the topic of visual arts and film. I love these sort of events because the speakers typically have so much passion for what they do. In their work, they hope to make an impact by sharing their creative views of the world. I find this so inspiring and motivating.

As I walked into the event, one of the first people to greet me was the event organizer Angela, a young woman who appeared to be in her mid to late 20's. She said to me, "You probably don't remember me, but you were my first counselor at TAF camp back in 1989."

My jaw dropped. I was practically speechless. That year was my first as a rather young and inexperienced counselor for a camp that I have since devoted my life to serving, previously as counselor, then program director, now Board member, and oftentimes speaker, mentor, and camp doctor.

"You sent me a pink postcard with the Little Mermaid on it, and you wrote 'Listen to the song in your heart' in my yearbook," Angela said with a smile.

As I took her hand and gazed into her eyes searching for a hint of memories, I was overcome with a sense of amazement and excitement! She briefly told me about her life path, and I felt so proud to reconnect with this woman who had once been "one of my kids." Yet, I was slightly embarrassed that I could no longer visualize the beautiful child's face I once knew some 18 years ago.

I have such passion for my work with young people, and I was just figuring that out during my early formative years as a leader in training. My unexpected encounter with Angela, who clearly and so vividly remembered our experiences during those wonderful days at camp so long ago, reminded me that we all make differences in peoples' lives. Sometimes, we just don't realize the impact or how long-lasting the influences can be. And once in awhile, the reward comes as a surprise much later in life, just like this chance meeting with Angela. Now, that is true inspiration.

Thanks Angela for reminding me why I do this work.