Selfless Care

Growing up as the eldest child in a time of poverty and famine in China, my grandma had a lot of compassion for her siblings, and she made sure that they always had resources like emotional support and food so they could thrive. She has always been willing to push through any challenges just to make sure that the people around her are cared for, and in this photo, she makes sure that we have all of the clothes that we brought with us because she knows that having something tangible like clothing can bring us the comfort and familiarity we need to feel welcome when we are part of the minority in a country like America. I don’t get to see my grandparents often because we live so far away and don’t have a lot of time to visit each other, so when we are able to spend time together, we do everything for each other. 

Her example has encouraged me to create a community where my friends feel welcomed because her love always makes me feel comforted and secure. It makes me want to show my friends love by being there for them in tough times and supporting them by listening to them, helping them talk through tough situations, and helping them with basic tasks when they are struggling. By sharing this story, I hope that my grandma can inspire all of us to try to make sure our own families and communities feel welcome and safe so we can share our lives and our love with one another.