As a student I travelled to China, following my friend around as he visited family and friends - loved ones he hadn't seen for 5 years. He was closest to his Aunt (who was roughly his age). She was fun, incredibly sharp and very driven. In all the fun and joy of seeing her long lost favorite, she had to sneak away to take care of work. I caught her on the phone as a boss. The woman she is every day, thought not the woman she was with us. It revealed the gravity of her true character, the importance she placed on work, while at the same time the strength of her love for Shengua (my friend), because it had to be strong, for her to take an entire day off just to be with him.
It was an eye-opening trip, and an eye-opening moment. In sum I felt gratitude - not just for the people I loved - but for the important similarities between all of us. We all love our family. We will all do anything for our family.
