I grew up in China during a period of great upheaval. My mother,
like any mother, tried hard to protect me and nurture me. Safety
first was a principle that she persistently adhered to. She insisted
that I come home immediately after school every day, and I tried
hard to follow this instruction. Spending so much time at home
(reminiscent of today’s pandemic social isolation) instilled in me a
great love of reading and I’ve been reading and writing every
since.
As I grew older my curiosity, as well as opportunity and love of
reading, caused me to make reading an even bigger part of my
life. I read books on history, love, romance and philosophy, as
well as on the joys and sorrows of mankind during many different
ages and in many different cultures. My reading has given me an
optimistic attitude about life which has helped me to work with
others and teach what I’ve learned to my young trainees. Friends
sometimes tell me that my positive attitude makes them happy. I
feel lucky that what I’ve learned from reading brings them such
pleasure.