The trauma my dad faced was that he would miss my mom and her unborn baby (that is me), his parents, friends, neighbors, etc.
Chris encountered many hardships. He missed his family but most of all, he had to adjust to America's way of life and use English for practically everything. When he tried to read English, he had to look up every word in his Chinese/English dictionary so that he would know what the word meant. Also, he encountered hardship when he came to America and had a very limited amount of money to start with.
My dad was a person who possessed self reliance and demonstrated it when he studied independently, made his own money, rented his own place, made his own, food, and didn't depend on his brother.
He evidenced self discipline when he never joined gangs, never did drugs, quit smoking, and worked out so that he could maintain a strong and healthy life.
Perseverance was apparent when he worked hard to make a successful living and never stopped learning.
Above all, my dad demonstrated self preservation by taking part-time jobs while still in school so that he could make enough money to pay for his education and buy the things he needs.
In my own life, I see a similarity when I moved from China to Los Angles, California and had to adjust to America. Also, when I have to make my own decisions in life. And when I managed to be a good student in school while having a lot of stuff to do at home. And when I don't join the wrong group of kids.
Melanie, 6/10/96