Paper Wife

It will seem impossible to take the first step. But on the second step, since you already did one, you know you can take another. Then another and another. Before long you will have walked into your new life.

Work hard, be kind, be humble—and you will live a harmonious life.

We do not know our fate. This may be a forever goodbye; it may only be for years. My love for you will never waver, however long or however far.

I asked my husband to teach my daughters to read and write so we would know one another should we be parted.

They had believed they would marry progressive thinkers in Guangzhou—businessmen or scholars—who would be proud to have educated wives with natural feet.

Every time I see the moon, I shall send you a blessing, knowing the same moon will soon shine my blessing down upon you.

there would always be flashes of beauty even in the midst of pain

May they be safe from all harm. May they be free from all suffering. May they know joy,

she was supposed to give up her own ancestors out of loyalty to her husband’s.

A wife obeys her husband, yes,” Ahma instructed. “But a wise woman earns her own money and saves for the emergencies that a husband cannot see coming.

Cholera was a common companion of war—and far more fatal than metal blades or bullets.

Education was a luxury not prioritized in a time of war and famine.

Compassion is nothing to be ashamed of

It's never foolish to have a dream. Even if it never comes to be. It can give you the hope you need to keep going

She pinched the inside of her left arm hard, using the sudden pain to chase away her despair, a trick she’d used many times before to hide her feelings from the world.

Each of these kind and hardworking children came to me in a different way, but they are all mine.

Those two women bore precious children that I had the honor of raising. Thank you.

Every time I see the moon

She couldn’t ask for herself, but she extended the wish for Suk Suk’s soul: May he be safe from all harm. May he be free from all suffering. May he know joy. She did wish him release from the cycle of suffering.

Work hard, be kind, and be humble—and you will live a harmonious life.

May she be safe from all harm. May she be free from all suffering. May she know joy. CHAPTER 20 Oakland July 1924 Mei Ling’s extreme agitation was calmed by the visit with Siew, but her heart wasn’t at peace.

all loyal Chinese people hated the Japanese for invading the Korean Peninsula and attempting to infringe on other Chinese territory. Nevertheless she followed June upstairs with the two children trailing behind,

one she was foreign; in the other Chinese. Would her family recognize her in these clothes? Mei Ling finally settled on sending the Western picture so her family could see what she hoped to become.

I never saw my mother again, but I carried her with me always.

Our experience in dealing with the weaker races—the negroes and Indians, for example—is not encouraging. —US President