When I went to pick up the small rosewood box from Long Hua Funeral Home in Shanghai, I began to ponder the existence of eternal life. Running my fingers over 'Robert Xu,' engraved on the side of the box, I wondered if Dad was on a journey toward his own eternal life, but I wished he was with me. I still wish it. Especially today, on Father’s Day.
As I left the funeral home, I remember seeing his smiling face appear in front of mine. I could hear his proud voice say: “Don’t look back, Milly. Move on! Keep living!”
When I arrived at my mom’s doorstep, carefully holding the box in my hands, I remembered that according to Chinese superstition, my mom shouldn’t know Dad’s ashes are in the house. So, following tradition, I hurried to my father’s closet, slipped the box on the top shelf, sent three kisses to Dad, bowed three times and shut the door quietly behind me.
As I left the funeral home, I remember seeing his smiling face appear in front of mine. I could hear his proud voice say: “Don’t look back, Milly. Move on! Keep living!”
When I arrived at my mom’s doorstep, carefully holding the box in my hands, I remembered that according to Chinese superstition, my mom shouldn’t know Dad’s ashes are in the house. So, following tradition, I hurried to my father’s closet, slipped the box on the top shelf, sent three kisses to Dad, bowed three times and shut the door quietly behind me.
That was about three months ago. Since then, there have been tears, and nostalgic evenings, and wishful thinking. But inevitably swept with the forward motion of time, my life has continued on.
I still wonder where Dad has gone to, though. Has he already reunited with our other lost loved ones? And have they aged in the same way I have in the past 30 years? In the space of eternal life, is there a need for a fierce heart surgeon like my father? Is my dad in a place where hope exists? Can he see me? I wish someone could answer my questions, but I guess I have to wait and see for myself.
What I do have an answer for, or at least an opinion on, is how I can make my current life on Earth as everlasting as possible. No – I don’t have the secret potion to immortality. But I do have an attitude that allows me to live each day to its fullest capacity. Live Wright is about following this standard and learning how to do it with the most passion, creativity and love one can muster. And most importantly, it is about knowing how to Balance everything: how to create a viewpoint and stability between positive and negative, worries and confidence, contentment and dissatisfaction, complaints and appreciations, glass half full half empty. The list goes on.
I still wonder where Dad has gone to, though. Has he already reunited with our other lost loved ones? And have they aged in the same way I have in the past 30 years? In the space of eternal life, is there a need for a fierce heart surgeon like my father? Is my dad in a place where hope exists? Can he see me? I wish someone could answer my questions, but I guess I have to wait and see for myself.
What I do have an answer for, or at least an opinion on, is how I can make my current life on Earth as everlasting as possible. No – I don’t have the secret potion to immortality. But I do have an attitude that allows me to live each day to its fullest capacity. Live Wright is about following this standard and learning how to do it with the most passion, creativity and love one can muster. And most importantly, it is about knowing how to Balance everything: how to create a viewpoint and stability between positive and negative, worries and confidence, contentment and dissatisfaction, complaints and appreciations, glass half full half empty. The list goes on.
And I do know is that good living is all about choice, solutions, and actions that I control, without which Life (the kind we’re in right now) will seem like a boring, wasteful eternity.
Happy Father’s Day Dad.
I miss you.
But best thing I can do is to keep smiling and keep living, just like you said.
Happy Father’s Day Dad.
I miss you.
But best thing I can do is to keep smiling and keep living, just like you said.
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