To My Boy
Foreword by Cecilia Chyn / Translation: Judy Yen
Min-Si (anonym) was strong and strived to live on, but she stopped chasing her goals. She was helpless when she got pregnant. She was turned down when she desperately needed to be accepted and supported by her family. Because of her decision of giving her baby for adoption, she suffered from sadness, lost and guilty. She shut down the door of her heart so that nobody could touch her pain. She was only 16-year-old and has started her life-long self-punishment since then. Every year she got in touch actively with me only when she wanted to send birthday gift and card to her kid.
For years, the adoptive parents had never stopped sending mails and photos to share the details of kid’s growth with the birth parents. At the same time, they had shown their concerns for the conditions of the birth parents. When the kid was nine-year-old, they brought him back Taiwan to visit his homeland and meet with both birth parents. When the kid was 14-year-old, the adoptive parents with him visited Taiwan again. However, the birth father did not show up for some reasons. The kid was very disappointed. Both Min-si and adoptive parents were aware of the wounded heart of the kid. Despite of the sadness, the kid went straight forward to pursuit his life goal with the accompany of adoptive parents. Min-si started to exchange mails with her kid directly few years ago. There were more interactions between mother and son. Min-si saw his efforts in realizing his goal of helping others, which is what Min-si wanted to achieve long before. She was at the same time moved by the sincere care and share for years from adoptive parents. She finally started to reflect and release herself.
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Happy birthday my boy!
I am sorry it took so long to reply to this letter.
When I got to know that you were admitted to King’s College London, I was really touched. I as if can see you spread your wings and soar. Go ahead! Keep flying my boy. Go wherever you want. You can do it!
You have reached the height out of my mind. I am happy that I can stand behind you and give you my whole love. Whenever you want to stay or fly to other places, I will be always by your side.
I had a dream about you. I saw you attending the school opening ceremony with your parents. It was such a warm picture, but so shocked for me. My little boy has already become a mature adult! It was strange but also familiar. My heart was full of emotions—a lot of complicated emotions. When I wake up, my face was full of tears! The dream made me think a lot.
First of all, I am really grateful that you can grow up with such wonderful parents. They love you so much, so you can move forward with your dreams. It’s very beautiful. Most people don’t even dare to think about it, but you did it! You also brought me a lot of courage. I really appreciate that.
There is something I want you know. I am so sorry my dear because I couldn't take care of you at that time so that you could not grow up like other children. It was not easy for you, just like me. But you face your life more bravely and hard than me. You even shared the love you got from your parents to other people in need.
What a wonderful boy like you! I sincerely thank your parents for providing you with a nice growing environment. If you had grown up by my side, I might not have had the opportunity to see you growing so sturdily and beautifully because of not only my family but also the unfriendly culture for raising children.
I am truly grateful. Although we are not living together, our hearts are so close. Because of such a process that I have witnessed your amazing life! I hope you can continue to fly on the way you want!
Finally, I want to say to your parents：
Thank you for loving and supporting him unconditionally. Your warmth has filled the world with many beautiful things. I send my love and blessings to you. May things always turn out the way you expect, same for peace, love joy and happiness.
Sincere blessings, full of love!
Min-Si
Hello mother,
Thank you a lot for the email you sent me for my birthday. It was really touching to read, especially about the dream that you had. I know things have been difficult for you, but I want you to know that in my eyes, you have nothing to apologize for. You made the right decisions, so I hope that you can learn to live with them in peace and forgive yourself.
I also want you to know that I am doing well. Over the past months, I have really enjoyed my time in London. The courses I take are very interesting and I have also made many new friends. London is also a great city to live in, since there is so much to do and see!
Hopefully, you are doing well too. It was touching to read that I gave you courage, I hope you can use it to make the changes you want to make in your life. Wishing you all the best, and I hope you are being healthy and safe during this pandemic.
All the best,
Koen Le-Huai