Wednesday, November 28, 2018

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.

Saturday, November 10, 2018

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

 

Thursday, November 8, 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...



Friday, October 26, 2018

Saturday, October 20, 2018

Morning Mist

It's that time of the year again -- a shred of chilly wind and a layer of foggy air greets you early in the morning...  The rest of your world is golden, is red, is filled with the most vibrant and beautiful colors!

My greetings back: "岁月, 你好!"

Naperville, IL
October 14, 2018



Thursday, September 27, 2018

Chinese Moon Festival

I came to the United States 30 years ago, on September 19, 1988. For that year, the Chinese Moon Festival was on September 24th, which was the same as this year. I still vividly remember that day - my professor took me to the lake front in Wilmette, IL to see the full moon... Wow, 三十年弹指一挥间! I wasn't able to capture the perfect full moon 30 years ago, but did take this photo yesterday!

Lake Michigan
September 23, 2018


 

Saturday, September 8, 2018

天上人间的记忆与祝福

六头,

你匆匆而去,给我,给我们每人心中留下一片难以填补的空白。让人切切感受到人生中时而无法回避的天上人间两渺茫的境地...

你曾经带给我们的是纯洁的友情、无尽的宽容、默默的关爱;是难以相比的智慧和大气。她让我们心灵的一角充满着阳光与温馨。我永远不会忘记我们在校园共度七载的日日夜夜;我们在沙漠中的奔跑;在胡杨林下的漫步;在绵山天边的微笑;在崇礼田畔伴着夕阳的歌…

你走了,去了一个绝美无暇的世界!在我们相识三十七年后的今天,命运和因缘却让我们天上人间两相隔。想来难免令人伤感,但伤感和遗憾在你我的世界里是不存在的。我们的世界只有应接不暇的新奇, 探寻不尽的未知, 爬不完的山, 趟不完的河, 道不尽的欢声笑语!

六头,尽管你无数次地嘱咐我不要到处乱跑,我却深知你珍视我带回来的每一张照片!冰岛的瀑布让你感叹;死谷的星空让你无语;南极的大冰川让你震惊;南极的小企鹅让你微笑… 因为你的离去,我决心要涉足更多的远方 - 去北极、去非洲、去南美、去北欧、去夏威夷看火山、去加拿大看极光、去新疆、去西藏、去清迈、去日本最纯净的佛堂代你烧一柱香… 我会把所有神奇、玄妙、美丽无边的山山水水拍下来,编成动人的故事讲给你听

是,今后的路还很长。岁月或许蹉跎,但人生必须精彩!我们虽是天各一方,但我们天上人间的世界里都会永远充满欢笑、鲜花、阳光和温暖

六头,谢谢你伴我们在人生旅途中走过了难忘的一程;谢谢你为我们留下的珍美记忆;谢谢你在静默中为我们付出的一切一切...

带着我们对你的厚爱和祝福,一路走好!

汤培