Lily’s letter to her son, Rolland, on his 19th Birthday 8/31/12
Everybody says “Daddy’s girl, Mommy’s boy”. Because of the overwhelming joy from the birth of our first child, your sister, we decided to have a boy soon so that she would not be lonely growing up. Therefore, one year later, you, our first son, were born.
From your conception all the way to your birth, it was accomplished totally under the control of your Mommy’s “super power plan.” I was extremely proud of myself about it for quite a while. Since your father’s entire being was so focused on your beautiful, doll-like sister; naturally, you became my precious “Mommy’s boy!”
Ever since your childhood, you have always been generous, obedient, humble, and never one to argue with others. At about eight months old, we brought you and your sister into the church life and later you joined the Sunday children’s classes. You were always one of the best kids in the class. As a child, my friends always called you “Buddha” because of your sweet smile and the saints in the church called you a Chinese “Shining Star”.
You always had a tender heart even though you were quite young! You never had a problem living in the shadow of your sister’s shining brightness; instead you enjoyed not being in the spotlight. Never once were you jealous of your sister nor were you ever competitive with her in any way, which really surprised me. You were never bothered by your father’s partial love for your sister, but rather you were so grateful for your mother’s support with all your piano competitions and exams. All of your big and small trophies were a testimony of your hard work and also a comfort to your mother.
You never laughed with your mouth open because you lost your two front teeth when you fell out of the bath tub at the age of two or three. Since you were about 10 years old, you and your sister rarely stayed after school to play because the both of you had to take care of your younger handicapped brother. You were such a gentle boy and never said any bad words. Whenever your brother was ridiculed or bullied by other kids at playground, you would be offended and give them a harsh look or made sure that they were taught a lesson. Before turning twelve, you finished reading the whole Bible and insisted on getting baptized and becoming a Christian…
In the past nineteen years, all of the details of your growth in life are deeply inscribed both in my mind and in my heart. My Beloved son, not only are we proud of you as Daddy and Mommy’s child, but you are also my spiritual companion. When you were thirteen, you told me that you would like to read through the Bible one more time from Genesis to Revelation and you wanted Mom to read with you. By following your schedule, you could help Mom read through the Old Testament in its entirety and come out of the land of Egypt. Praise the Lord! With your accompaniment in reading the Bible, Mom finally entered into God’s Promised Land and the Bible became my best friend. When I was asked to be a Sunday school teacher, you reminded me to use the living word of the Lord and its freshness, instead of old teaching methods, to attract the young children to come to church. I took your advice and became a favourite teacher among the kids. Every Sunday, they couldn’t wait to ask their parents to take them to church. However, even when I was so excited or proud to tell you how I took care of the saints and were praised by them, you would make sure to remind me to be humble and not arrogant.
All three of you have made both Mom and Dad realize profoundly that children are indeed gifts of God and were placed in our family to perfect us. Your sister has made us realize God’s love and mercy and the Lord’s long-suffering and endurance. Your younger brother has taught us to trust God’s purpose and presence through all of our afflictions. Of course, you have taught us that being humble and obedient to God’s will and living a holy and godly church life are the greatest secrets of being blessed by God and to be pleasing to the Lord.
Chinese people like to say, “Man shall not shed tears easily.” You seldom cried during your childhood, even when you were offended, but you did weep quite a bit with me in the past few years. I remember, a few years ago, one snow day, your sister did not come home right after her piano lesson. While dad and mom were very worried and concerned, you went out immediately, without saying a word, and sat on a rock next to the bus stop, waiting. Once you picked her up, you could not wait to inform us and did not even say a word to her.
Three years ago, my father, your grandpa, had a heart attack and was admitted to a hospital in Shanghai. I started crying after a phone call to China, because I was not allowed to go back to visit him due to the West Nile. When you saw me, you sat down quietly beside me and told me that you would never move to another continent in the future, because it would be too difficult to visit if we ever needed help.
My Beloved son, even though it seems Mom was the one sacrificing everything to take care of you guys, often times I have learned much from all of you; how to fear God and how to serve the Lord and the saints. I am really grateful to the Lord from the bottom of my heart. Not only for Him to have brought me from the other side of the Pacific Ocean to Canada so that I would know God, but also to have given me your father and you three lovely children so that we, our whole household, can serve Jehovah our God and be His living testimony. Oh Lord, thank You!
My dear son, you are a grown-up now, the gift of God is manifested in you. You are a gift from God to us. We continue to steadfastly pray for His leading of you every day. May the Lord use your talents in drum and piano to worship Him, use the words that He gave you to serve the young people, use patience, endurance, love and compassion to protect your sister and your younger brother. I really pray to God, with His grace and loving kindness, to bless your studies and your work that you may grow healthily, to become a pillar in the church, a co-worker of the Lord, a servant of God. Praise the Lord!
