Forever Free

Forever Free

Once you learn to read, you will be forever free. –Frederick Douglass     Packing for our move to China, years ago, I tucked some books into our suitcase for my two little ones. I had no idea the role they would play in our family life. When we stepped off...
Chinese New Year Near Disasters

Chinese New Year Near Disasters

  Buildings towered side by side and ours almost touched the chain link of an enclosed basketball court; gathering place and first stop for family firework nights. I enjoyed the shows, with one memorable exception. I watched the family arrive, place their huge...
Challenge Rewards

Challenge Rewards

I love seeing glimpses of myself in my daughter. When she received some new art supplies this Christmas, I got a good, long look at our similarities. As she opened the watercolour paints, tearing the gift wrap off – shutting out other gifts that were scattered...
Lantern Festival

Lantern Festival

Lantern Festival has come and gone. And as it marked the end of two weeks of sleepless nights, I have to admit I’m glad. The city was strangely quiet during the holidays. Most people had either left to visit family or must have been sleeping the days away after...