December 27th -- Christmas Time & On the Road

Daddy:

Eight years ago as of today, I saw your face the first time on CNN court proceedings. That day, you were sentenced to the second longest term in Falun Gong crackdown history by the Chinese Communist Party -- 16 years. December 27th, 1999, I spent the entire day sitting in front of the TV screen touching your aged face, over and over. So when people were celebrating the holiday spirits, I was sad to begin with...

This year, I spent a real Christmas exchanging gifts and receiving warm greetings. It was wonderful! On this special occasion for family and friends, I remembered the time we had in China. To me, every day was a Christmas day. On this western holiday, I miss you SO much that I wanted to save my share of happiness for you. So when I see you, you would be showered with all the things that I have experienced at that moment.

Lately, My lifestyle has been changed. Being a Civil Engineer, it seems that traveling has been on my weekly schedule. I was in one city one day and the other for the next few days. Again, this reminds me of you -- my beloved daddy who traveled most of the days as a civil engineer. I feel very grateful to experience all of these as your daughter. This has brought me one step closer to you. So when I am tired and feeling uncomfortable, I remind myself to do things according to Falun Gong principles and to be as positive as you.

Here is one photo of me taken on Christmas Day. The sky was blue and clouds are ever beautiful.
This remind me of the one card that I received from Austin Formal City Council Member for my journey:

Believe there are no limits but the sky...

In the end, I would love to quote your letter to me:

How to look at the suffering and the happiness of it? I agree with the mentality of serenity and compassion -- calmly look at the clouds stretching and folding in the sky, look at the flowers blossoming and withering to the ground, look at people coming and leaving from the world. The true nature of happiness are joy, tolerance, indifference to fame or gain, pure mindedness, a calm demeanor,and living peacefully, but confidently and free of any restraints. These are the qualities that I strive to achieve. This is the quality of life and noble state of mind I have yearned to establish with a corresponding open mind and happy attitude.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you!
love,
Dandan