Last summer my son, Eric, left for university in another country. Our once lively house became quiet and lonely. I missed and worried him so much that I started sending him messages on the phone, mainly to say hello or to give him a word of warning.
One of my messages says, "So you told me you lost your wallet. If you are always careless, one day you'll wake up and find yourself lost."
I did get Eric's messages, but most of them were about money. I was a bit angry.
They were not different from the notes he used to leave on the white board when he was at home.
"I bought a new pair of shoes. They cost me $90. Please help!"
"Money is running short because I've bought some books for my research paper. Help me please!"
Recently, however, Eric begins to send me all kinds of articles (文章). Some are funny, some are touching and some make me think. He knows I haven't got many things to do in my free time. He says they will help me understand young men better and keep up with the times.
I read the articles slowly, like a careful student, with mixed feelings as well- my kid, who followed me around not long ago, has now become my teacher!
So I write back, "I've read all those articles, I'll take them as a loving son's hopes towards his mother. He must be thinking that his mother is still young enough to accept new things. That makes me feel proud. We parents can't learn quickly and change in both body and mind. Thank you, my son."
In this way we share ideas, with a gentle and beautiful language we seldom use. Every time I read those messages, I feel warm.
