Thanks to two great readers and polymath SMEs, Alen Ulman and Leon Garber. They invited me onto their SEIZE THE MOMENT PODCAST to figure out HOW TO GET OUR COURAGE, FREE OURSELVES FROM FEAR, TRULY HELP OTHERS, AND LIVE WITH QUIET RESOLVE FOR THE SAKE OF OTHERS. This is a time-out from my blog series on Getting Your Courage so you can enjoy listening to two very sharp, warm, and welcoming hosts learn how we overcome fear and access courage in everything. Courage is the real deal and is, for most, merely the biggest issue in our lives. https://youtu.be/jWwJZlmhF2E
Reid Graham
134, Barren Rd
Media, PA 19063
February 22, 2023
Dear Gus Lee,
Hello! I have just read your book China Boy for my English class and cannot figure out how you imbued the book with such rich emotion. No other book I have read has given me such a perfect description of every emotion brought upon you as a young boy. From an upbringing full of unadulterated love and through a boyhood containing so much change and sorrow, your life has opened my eyes to the huge range of emotion one can tackle. Your book has shown me a completely new perspective.
I have never had a great connection with any of my instructors, but all the teachers at the Y are depicted to be so supportive in their own way to your journey. Mr. Punsalong teaches in such a brutal fashion, and I wish my instructors would do the same. The first time we see him he calls you out for being scared, scared of being hit, and he makes you punch him as hard as you can in his jaw, and if you didn’t, he would knock you on your ass. But, when you finally hit him with everything you have, he yells “YASSS” in excitement with a look of incredible pride on his face. I never knew a teacher could show such joy for the hard work a student has accomplished.
Similar to my relationship with my teachers, your story showed me that I don’t have a great relationship with my elders. You wrote about the night your Uncle Shim brought you to the chess club and the elders toasted you for bringing back their youth, if only for a night. That image hit me hard. I have started to visit my grandparents more often and ask them to tell me stories of their younger days. You have shown me the importance of connection with one’s elders and heritage, and a grandfather’s connection with his grandchild. I am grateful to you.
You painted a beautiful picture of the night with your elders, but it is contrasted so much by when you returned home that night. On returning to your house, your Step-Mother, Edna, threw away the gifts from the elders you loved. How could someone who called themself your mother take away such a precious gift from you. She denied you any object related to the culture you grew up with and loved. I simply can fathom how little compassion your step-mother could have for her own stepchild. It hurt me to read through those chapters. My mother has always been compassionate and a big part of my life, and the thought of having her replaced with someone who doesn’t even want to know me is infuriating. I appreciate my mother more than ever, and will never take her for granted
Mr. Lee, your journey has made me reflect much on my life. I found out the ability of a teacher to have an effect on a student, about the bond one shares with his elders, and the appreciation one should have for their mother. I also found out about how much courage and drive a boy can have in him. Thank you for sharing your life story with me.
Best Wishes,
Reid Graham