移民生涯（62）：寫在女兒的小學畢業典禮上

 2011年6月，女兒小學畢業，學校要求家長能盡量來參加孩子的畢業典禮，並給了每個家長一個任務：給孩子寫一封信，裝在信封里，畢業典禮那天拆開來給孩子看。

在我們家，這個任務就落在了我的頭上，正經八百地用英語寫信還是破天荒的頭一次，花了差不多兩個禮拜的時間這封信才羞羞答答地問世了。

Dear Shirley,

12 years ago, you came to this world.

It was just like yesterday. Dad can still remember everything the first day you were born. I was waiting outside of the nursing room. I heard your first cry. I rushed into the room and saw a tiny, little baby covered with a small blanket, so lovely and unbelievable. I know that is my daughter and we are going to live together for the rest of my life.

Dad remembered the day we went to company』s new year party when you were 7 months old. Whoever saw you said you were beautiful. I know sometimes people lies and they just want to make other people happy. But at least this time they were telling the truth. I was so happy and I gave you a gum without realizing that could make you choke. Lucky somebody found that before anything happened. You see, Dad are not that smart and have a lot of things to learn.

We went back home to visit grandpa that winter when you were two years old. That day, you hit your cousin』s head very badly with a stick when you were playing together. I spanked you on your hand and you cried. Dad』s heart was broken. But I want you to remember violence is a bad behavior and it is not acceptable. That was the first time dad punished you using this way and up to now it is still the last time. I know it will never happen again in the future.

Mom and dad brought you to Canada when you were 5. That was a big change and a big challenge for our family. We once went to a daycare center for your mom』s work interview. We walked for almost an hour and we want to save a bus ticket. I knew some new immigrants left their kids back home with grandparents during the first couple of years. They don』t want their kids to suffer. But I am glad, no matter how hard life is sometimes, our family stayed together all the time.

Shirley, you are so brave. You lived in the basement with mom and dad. You sat in the back seat during our 4 days traveling from Toronto to Lloydminster. You were telling stories and you gained several pounds in 4 days.

Shirley, you work hard. You try everything. You learn skiing, skating, piano, dancing. You are good at reading and writing. You love animals and you care more about our environment.

Four years ago, you had a little brother, healthy and lovely, just like you. You help mom and dad to look after him. Together we travel. Mom and dad like you guys sit at the back seats, joking and arguing about what you see in the field, whether they are horses or cows.

Shirley, mom and dad have a big expectation to you. We want you to be the best. But the most important, we want you to be happy. Life is in your hand. Whatever you do, mom and dad will always support you. We will always be around you. We are always so proud of you. We are happy watching you grow and be a person useful to our community. You will be a scientist and your dream will come true.

Mom and Dad

畢業典禮那天，大部分的家長都來了，一個個穿得整整齊齊的，孩子們也一樣，男孩子穿白襯衫，女孩子是漂亮的裙子。

看著孩子們聚在一起互相告別，拍照留念，我很替他們感到驕傲。