My parents must really love me, because they took a 20 hour trip across the Pacific just to be with us here in this crazy country. Sharing the last 2 weeks with them has been a really refreshing experience, not only do I have a new found respect for them: trekking miles around China in the scorching heat, bus hopping like locals and eating all the wierd and wonderful food we put in frong of them; but I also got to see the enormous changes we've undergone since first arriving a year ago.
When you live here it's very difficult to see the personal growth and development you make because every day just feels like the next. But when I saw my mom's face after sampling her first ever REAL bowl of Chinese noodles I was taken back to my very own first experience - the foreign taste and smell and having to breathe really deeply in order to swallow and not hurl. It was only when my dad said, "you can really understand that?" that I noticed how far my Chinese language ability had come and it was only when I woke up on the 3rd day of walking Beijing flat and wasn't sqealing in pain from the stiffness that I realised I had grown quite tough and strong in this foreign land.
There are other things I have noticed about myself and my husband that I took for granted until my parents came; I am a much better listener than I have ever been. That happens when you can't communicate in the language and when comprehending the entire message that another person is saying is crucial. Kyle has also become a lot more forthcoming. As someone who used to avoid confrontation and talking in unnecessary situations he has become the family mouth piece. He is more assertive and takes control because everyone around him is usually relying on him to get the message across:) I am very proud of this growth in both of us.
I no longer feel like a foreigner, a LAWAI as the Chinese call it, and it's just as well because I've been here for a year and I'm glad I have something to show for it.
So thanks mom and dad for coming, for spoiling us, for being so brave and for opening our eyes to all the ways we've grown.
2 comments:
Meryl and Kyle we need to thank you for helping us to see life with fresh eyes after our wonderful experiences we shared with you both the past 2 weeks. You have both grown so much and we are so very proud of you.
Thanks again for the most memorable time with you on "your turf" you are such "locals" already.
We love you both and wish you all good things in this new season of your lives in China.
I get tears in my eyes when I hear how proud your parents are of you! It must be an amazing experience to be there 'out on your own' with nobody to really call your friends.
Kyle well done for ehat your achieving there with your studies and new marriage.
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