Encouraging Words for a Friend - Year-end Blessing - Janice Chang December 10, 2018

Dear Bryan:

Miss you, especially at this time of the year, Grandma and grandpa are packing up to leave their retirement home, Laguna Woods.  I had the most memorable time staying with them and your parents at your lovely adobe in Tucson from May 1, - May 7, 2018

Dr. and Mrs. Kao, you grandparents were my benefactors during the time when I did not know where to get my lodging in 1974, my first job after graduate school, teaching at Campbell County Public School, Lynchburg, VA.  I am forever grateful for what they did for me.

I'm also the beneficiaries of “Teacher Strike” that week.  Your Mom, an IT teacher for Pima County public school teachers was off and was able to take grandfather and me to visit the National Parks (Saguaro, Sabino Canyon, Mission San Xavier.... etc.)  Grandma prefers to stay home cooking Ba-Zon (sticky rice wrap) due to her walking difficulties.  I'm the lucky one - Thanks Arizona!

Mom has always been my closest best friend ever since 1974 when I was staying in your grandparents’ house.  She was only 18, Virginia Junior Miss from Lynchburg, ready to embark her college life at University of Virginia.  I vividly remember the lovely piano music she played when I was checking Lisa and Albert’s homework.  As always, grandma and grandpa were all hard-working in the restaurant they managed.  Life was hard then.  But they were so kind to accept me in your household.   Mom has become my life-long dear sister since then.  Travis, Spencer and you all came to visit me when you all were babies.  I still have that memory of you, one month old, larger than my palm size, bathed in our bathroom sink by your father!  Travis even came to show my son, Eric, 7 years old then, how to play soccer in his “Orange Crush” league.  The coach, Mr. Brodscky was so impressed about Travis’ skills.  All teammates liked him so much.  

Your piano playing in your home that day when I visited reminds me of your mother in 1974.  You are so talented to transform the simple piano sonata, was it Beethoven’s sonata? into breezy summer styles available only in the hot Arizona weather!  Even your dog was behaving in your lap while you are playing!  Amazing!

Bryan, thank you for your lovely music!  Be strong, you never know who you are inspiring?  

Believe in yourself and you know that there is something inside you that’s greater than any obstacles!   If you have a voice within, listen to your inner instincts, and say, “I will take on my challenge and dig within myself to conquer fears.”  You are going to go through tough times – that’s life!

I will visit you again and listen to your “sonata”?  And probably answer to your questions about Taiwan and U.S. relationship that you had taken the course this year.

Love

Janice Chang