Text Messages with Michelle

11-27-2018

6:48 PM 
The night before Michelle's Fellowship match day


Chelle, I have been praying for you for the past 3 days.  You will be fine, I am very sure of that.  I am very proud of your rank list.  Any program on the list would be great!  Relax and let me know tomorrow as soon as you have the result.  LOVE!!

Thanks mom! I'm gonna vomit! 

Haha, call me if you want.

No it's okay.

Love you, Michelle!  Also, please realize and always remember how fortunate you are.  Cherish life!

Oh I certainly know.  I've been talking a lot to my friends about their parents, especially their moms.  And I've come to realize how strong of a mother you are.  There are so many moms out there that fall apart; that are desperate to be near their children; that need to have their children get married and have more kids; that otherwise feel like their lives are purposeless if that's not what happens.  But you find purpose every day just on your own, and you don't force me to do anything to give you meaning or purpose; and you just try to teach me the things that have brought you purpose.  It's so rare to have a mom like that.

Thank you, Michelle, this means a lot to me.  We are all trying to live a meaningful life.

Really, I mean it!!  You're a strong woman but still so insightful and nostalgic and full of heart.  My friends all love you and think you're the coolest!

Haha, thanks!

Hmmm. Your responses are less than enthusiastic.

Chelle, you have no idea what you said meant to me.  But I am a very modest person… when my little Michelle really praises me.  All I really want in life is 1) to be a good mother and 2) to live a productive life.

秋色未尽却已雪洒人间...

Do you only seek dramatic scenery from far away or do you also notice the subtle beauty of your own front yard?

Naperville, IL 
November 9, 2018

 

The Decluttering

Speaking of the "rough-but-happy life back then" per email below, I am in the process of going through all my diaries from the past 35 years, and summer of 1989 did stand out!!

 

Please know, I am not out of my mind.  Simply trying to keep the most important chapters in life and throw away everything else.  This innocent and simple act has proven to be VERY difficult -- as much as we all claim our abilities of "letting go," boy, we really can't.  Many of my close friends have kindly and firmly advised me NOT to be crazy!!  I don't know.  Maybe some day, the answer will be very clear and the decision will be very easy.  Until then, be organized and fully prepared.

Wish I only had these two journals.  But sadly, I have much more to go through...    

----- Forwarded Message -----

From: Pei Tang <tang_pei@yahoo.com>

To: "tang_pei@yahoo.com" <tang_pei@yahoo.com>

Sent: Friday, August 21, 2009, 6:38:21 PM CDT

Subject: August 23, 1989

Do you remember where you were and what you did 20 years ago on August 23, 1989? 

Well, I was featured in Chicago Tribune under the "Chicago Style" section for working on a job that paid lower than the minimum wage. 

Michelle started working at age 16 and, on average, she got paid at $12 per hour as a high school student.  Me?  I was pursuing my 2nd Masters degree while being paid at $8.5 per hour in the summer of 1989 -- ouch!!  Don't tell me about the inflation, please!

Regardless, I am glad that I kept a copy of the paper from 20 years ago and I can still reflect on the rough-but-happy life back then.  Those were awfully long days with 10+ hours per day staring at people flooding through downtown Chicago...