Six Chinese Words

It is my mom's job in life to give me advice.  Over the years, the same information has been repeated to me over and over again.  The advice ranges from strange ones such as "don't point at the moon or your ears will fall off" and "don't worry about eating an ant or two, it will help you sing better" to ones that are totally unproven in the medical field such as "don't eat beef or mango while pregnant or the baby will have itchy skin" and "don't use a hammer while pregnant or your baby will be born with a cleft lip."*
Our family moved to Los Angeles from Taiwan when I was young and I always thought and took for granted that my parents would be around.  Now that my mom and dad permanently live in Shanghai and only come once or twice a year to visit, I miss her and her advice dearly. Who else is going to tell me not to put Styrofoam boxes in the microwave or not to go out after 10pm to avoid being attacked?

Now that I'm a mom myself, I realize why my mom makes all these suggestions. Even though I am an adult with children of my own,she cannot help but want to protect me.  She worries about me constantly and truly wants the best for me.  It's just like when I tell Jimmy to "go potty before leaving the house, put on your jacket, take off your jacket, drink your milk, say may I, please and thank you, etc."  And when he's older, I'll make sure to tell him not to put Styrofoam boxes in the microwave and not to go out after10pm.

This past summer on the night before she left for China, my mom pulled me aside and handed me a piece of paper with six Chinese words written on it.  She wanted me to teach Jimmy these things.  The six words basically mean:

• To be content (not in a slacker kind of way but to be happy with all that you have)
• To be appreciative (and cherish everything that you have)
• To be grateful (for all the blessings in your life)

She explained how important it was for Jimmy to learn and understand these six words. Although some of her suggestions are ridiculous, some are absolutely right on target.  I don't think she saw the tears in my eyes as she kept on explaining way longer than she needed to... first of all, I can read it (but she always thinks I can't read Chinese) and she's taught and instilled those six words in me ever since I was young.   I am so lucky to have been raised by such an amazing woman.  I love you mom!!

*these are not made up, this is real stuff my mom says (over and over again)



"Always wear a hat" is another thing my mom says all the time. Can't believe she's not following her own advice here!



Parasailing with mom in Hawaii - what a great experience!