Mother’s Day is approaching, on which I will be just as busy as any other day. You always tell me not to buy you any gift, so this year, I will do something special. I’m writing this letter to you as a gift. Last time when I write a letter with a pen, I hadn’t owned a cellphone yet.
It’s been over 20 years since I came to America, with the western lifestyle already a part of my life. However, every morning I wake up with those tiny little bits about Changshu, my hometown. I would think of the sweaters you handmade for me when I was young, and the homemade dishes – the best delicacies in my memory.
The application season has always been busy. I receive a lot of enquiries from Chinese students who want to pursue study in America. While answering their questions and solving their problems, I feel my responsibility to help them as much as I can. I attribute this to the influence from you and father. You dedicated your lives to teaching and to students. In my memory, you always took care of them like they are your own kids.
Those young students also remind me of my early years in America. I came here with only $40. To make a living I had slept in church and done much part-time work. I seized every minute to realize my dream. And I am just so lucky that I made it.
The tough years made up my mind to help the international students to realize their dreams in America. Unlike me, they bring much more than only $40, thanks to rapid social development in China. Their parents would come to the school opening with them, too. Sometimes that makes me feel lost. How nice it would be if you and father could also come to my school opening! But I feel nothing inferior, because I have so much love from you.
A few days ago, I was asked whether there is anything I regret about during all these years. I thought about the question and said my biggest regret was that I spent too little time with you and father.
In the early years here, with heavy academic pressure, I hardly had any time to think about going home. And you never gave me any pressure, even though you missed me terribly. It was only in these years, when my own child left home, can I feel how open-minded and generous you were that you held back all the complaints when I was not by your side.
In recent years I visit you more often, and we can talk more through phone and video chat. However, the lost years can never be found again. Will you and father blame me for that?
Another Mother’s Day is coming. We praise maternal love on this day, and every day else, because love is always around us, everyday and everywhere.
I promise I will visit home more often. And I hope that you can move here and live with us one day.
I have received your letter. The words from your heart in your handwriting is the best Mother’s Day gift ever! I feel so happy!
When I recall the years when you are away from home, I feel so proud of you. The little boy who used to do morning reading everyday has grown up to a real man. With only $40, you realized your dream and become a professor! Words cannot tell how proud I am.
Time flies. Your father and I know that your early years in America were not easy although you didn’t tell us. We were heartbroken by the difficulties you met. But we had to let you go, because it was your dream. You showed great interest in language, especially English. We were wondering how you could turn your interest to a career. When you decided to go to America, we found the answer.
Although you are a young man in our eyes, we must see the truth that you are in your mid-age now. Please do take care of your health.
Last year, the disappearance of Zhang Yingying triggered panic among international students. You did a lot to offer legal consultation for Chinese students. When we talked over the phone at that time, I can feel the fatigue in your voice. I’m happy that my competent son can help others, but as your mother, I care about your health more than anything else.
You visit home more often these years. When your mother school celebrated the founding anniversary in March this year, you even wrote an article, in which we were surprised to read about the tiny details we already forgot. I think this is because you love your hometown more than anyone else. Please come home more often. We’re always here for you.