分享好友 R.O.C. and Me / 作者 刘杰 One hundred years ago, a nation was formed, and a few decades later, it was forced to retreat to a small island in the Pacific. Less than a half century later, a little boy and a little girl were born in different parts of the small island. Another couple of decades later, their paths crossed in Boston, and shortly after that they tied their knots in San Francisco. Ten years ago, I was brought into this world as a witness of their devotion to each other. Before I can remember anything, I couldn't tell the difference between being a darker skin person and an “ABC” (American-born Chinese). Taiwan to me is a place that I have to travel on the plane for a long time to get there. I had never heard of R.O.C. and had no clue what it stands for, before my mom handed me the topic for my essay of the month and asked me to write something about “R.O.C. and Me”. I did not even know how and where to start, until… One ordinary Friday afternoon, while I was waiting for my mom to pick me up from school, there’s a rather large flock of swallows flew over my head. High above me, the swallows flew up and down in the air, made beautiful maneuvers from the left to the right, and reversed themselves and did this all over again. Back and forth they go, little swallows flapped their wings like there’s no tomorrow. Every now and then, a little swallow may miss a turn. The swallow would try all it can to catch up, and eventually would get back to its place. Like an unspoken rule, as a group they were so determined and appeared to leave no single swallow behind. The swallows seemed to fly all over the place so randomly without a purpose, and one cannot help but wonder if the little swallows would ever be able to find their ways. Just right there and then, I believe I saw the connection between R.O.C. and me. Taiwan is situated thousands of miles away from where I live, yet I cannot really keep it in a distance and ignore it in any way. This is the birthplace of my parents, where they learned, grew up, and inherited its value, culture, and traditions. My parents are great at doing their jobs with compassion, and are using every opportunity to pass down the value, culture, and traditions to me. I am fully equipped. No matter which direction I am heading and where life is taking me, as long as I keep my faith, I will never be alone and will never get lost. R.O.C. is a nation that has lived and survived numerous civil wars and outside invasions. It has never given up its belief and would not be defeated easily. Sorrowfully but gloriously, the country was built on the sweat and blood of many unsung heroes and unidentified defenders. I am grateful for my enriched background and appreciate my very existence. It’s my parents’ biggest aspiration that I would try my best at every task and opportunity that are presented to me. No matter how random and chaotic it may seem, I will follow through. Most of all, I understand nothing is impossible and I will not quit until I have exhausted all my means. Happy Birthday, R.O.C., my Great Great Great Grand Father! Wish you many more splendid hundred years to come!

[Back]