原文寫於 2016年1月26日 | 香港

每逢新年，我家都有一個指定動作——貼揮春。
無論字寫得靚唔靚，都希望新一年有個好開始，事事順景、平平安安。
不過，六歲菜苗寫的揮春就真係特別過人，而且仲特別有「福」氣。

直到今年再翻出來看，我仍然忍不住笑了出來。

自小他的中文字就寫得像打交一樣，龍飛鳳舞得連我都要研究一陣先睇得明。有時功課更會因為字體太潦草，被老師要求重做。

後來我慢慢諗到一個方法。
如果功課沒有因為字體問題被老師退回來重做，就可以得到一個印仔；儲夠二十個印仔，就可以換一份小禮物。
這個方法原來幾有效。

有時教小朋友，既想他進步，又不想傷感情，的確要花一點心思去引導。
相比之下，中文一直是最難教的一科；反而英文和數學，我幾乎從來沒有陪他溫習，他很多時候都自己處理，而且成績一直不錯。

回頭看，或許這些小小的特質，早已悄悄為他日後到外國讀書鋪路；而我，也在不知不覺間，走上了屬於自己的「孟母三遷」之路。
當年未必明白，今天回頭看，原來很多事情早已有了伏筆。
但無論搬過多少地方，做過多少決定，有一件事我從來沒有後悔過。
那就是成為你的媽媽。
為了你，一切都值得。

感恩你是我的兒子，也感恩你讓我有福氣做你的媽媽。❤️🌿

06 | The Most Blessed Spring Couplets

Originally written on January 26, 2016 | Hong Kong

One thing we always do before Chinese New Year is put up spring couplets.
No matter how beautiful the handwriting is, they carry our hopes for a new year filled with good fortune, happiness, and smooth sailing.
But the spring couplets written by my six-year-old little seedling were truly one of a kind—and especially full of “good fortune.”

Even now, whenever I look back at them, I cannot help but laugh.

Since he was very young, his Chinese handwriting looked as if the characters were fighting each other on the page. Sometimes his homework had to be redone because it was simply too messy.

So I came up with a little plan.
If his homework came back without the teacher asking him to rewrite it because of his handwriting, he would earn one stamp. Once he collected twenty stamps, he could exchange them for a small gift.
To my surprise, it worked quite well.

Sometimes, when teaching children, you want them to improve without hurting their feelings. A little creativity and encouragement can go a long way.
Chinese was always the most challenging subject to teach. On the other hand, I hardly ever helped him with English or Mathematics. He usually managed those on his own, and his results were always quite good.

Looking back now, perhaps those little signs were already pointing toward the future. Maybe they were quietly preparing him for the path that would one day lead him to study overseas.
And without realizing it, I was also beginning my own version of the story of “Mencius’ mother moving three times”—always searching for the best place for my child to grow.

At the time, I did not understand it.
But now, when I look back, I can see that many things had already left their clues along the way.

No matter how many places we have lived, or how many decisions I have made, there is one thing I have never regretted.
Becoming your mother.
For you, every sacrifice has been worth it.

I am grateful that you are my son, and grateful for the blessing of being your mother.

❤️ With love,
Mom