When my grandmother Deed was young she contracted polio (小儿麻痹症). She was kept in bed for the better part of a year and lost the use of her right leg. She was raising my young father on her own, so it felt like an impossible situation. Her family gave her much support and encouragement. Slowly but surely, Deed learned not only to deal, but to thrive with her disability. People thought she was crazy when she wanted to start her own business, but she was determined. She borrowed money from the bank for her business. She went on to run a successful company and became one of the first women entrepreneurs in the city of Revere, Massachusetts.
I truly believe polio was a gift to my grandmother. It strengthened her beliefs and made her strong and resilient (有适应力的), but it also forced her to slow down and think about everything quietly and seriously. She never complained about her condition, not once.
However, I often got angry and complained when things weren't going my way. Deed would turn to me and gave me advice on my next move. Though far from Hollywood (she lived on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire), Deed seemed to know answers to the problems that seemed to puzzle me. She was my trusted mentor (导师). With each visit, she would help me better myself, expand my mind and go after bigger dreams.
I became confident, more driven and focused on what I wanted to achieve. Each step of the way, Deed was there to cheer me on. The more I leaned back out of fear, the more she challenged me to walk further to the possibilities.
Within a month of selling my first screenplay, Deed passed away. She is on my mind daily. Now, whenever I deal with career issues that scare me, I would remind myself of her greatest piece of advice: Sit down and take a breath. It will all work out
