I first began writing this memoir in 2015 but then set it aside for nearly five years. After my parents passed away and my siblings growing older, I began to worry that with life's business the project might never be finished—and that our family’s stories would slowly fade away.
Motivated by the urgency to preserve our family’s origin story, I dedicated the past year to writing in the late evenings. I wanted my young children to know where they came from. I also didn’t want my family’s love, struggles, and courage to be forgotten.
Along the way, I realized I was writing not only for them but also for myself. The process taught me so much, and I want to share those lessons with anyone who comes across this website.