A letter to my son's grade nine retreat

Dear Son,

We love you! Time is flying when you look back. The moment of 15 years ago was just like yesterday. We still remember the moment you were born. Mom was lying in the hospital bed; Dad was holding you on his hands staring at your new face ... every thing was brand new. We started loving you since that moment.

We remember 12 years ago, when we just moved to Canada. You were three years old that time. In Shanghai airport, as we were boarding the airplane, you had no idea where we are going. You asked, is this the shanghai (going to the beach in Chinese) where my aunt normally goes for trading fish? You didn’t know we are moving to a new country to start our new life with you.

We still remember when the time you were in Briar Hill daycare center, where your sister is going now. For us, you were the cutest boy in the whole school. We were concerned when you first joined the new class. The first day dad went to school to pick you up, he asked your teacher Denies, “Can he communicate with others?” she said yes and dad looked at you playing with others with laugh and joy. He knew we gave you a good start.

We still remember the day you got baptized in the OLPH church. You were so little that time. With candles in your hands, white shawl on your shoulder, we saw angles around you. Smile on our faces, we knew God will take care of you ...

We remember the first day you started your altar service; you were a grade-1er. You were so short that your head was still below the altar. You nervously followed other kids, tippy toed doing things around the altar. Thought in our mind, we hope you will be doing things for God forever.

We also remember the day when your sister was born. You loved her so much. You held her on your hands as we held you on our hands before. You stared at her as we stared at you before. From that moment on, we knew you will love your sister for good ...

We remember the day you got your first communion. That was when you were about 12 years old of the last year in the Mother Mary Greene. We went to St. Luke church together that night after supper. We saw you start growing up from then… we knew you understood what God really means to you ...

We remember the moment you became taller than your mom. That was right after your 13th birthday. We were so proud of you. We know one day you will be taller than your dad and you will be stronger than your dad too. We hope you will keep doing right things on the way you walk with us and in the future when you may have to walk alone ...

Love you,

Day and Mom,