林榮峰 | Emily Lee
尺寸 | Size：20‘’ X16’’
一念善心，歲月自有回聲
人走到了一定的年紀，越來越相信：
人生許多事情，都有它自己的因緣。
你當年無心種下的一顆種子，也許多年以後，才在某一個不經意的時刻，開成一朵花。
上個月到 Cape Cod，參加兒子、媳婦結婚廿五週年的海邊慶祝宴。
也順便陪外孫 Max 到 Babson College上暑期班。
阿公、阿嬤總是有些放心不下，怕孩子第一次離家那麼遠會不習慣，所以答應留下來陪他。
這次沒有開車來，反而讓我們有機會放慢生活的腳步。
沒有趕路，沒有安排滿滿的行程，只是看看風景、陪陪孫子，也讓自己換一個環境，過幾天簡單的日子。
沒想到，平常叫我們「阿伯、阿嬸」的陳取寬師父的媳婦Tai,知道我們來了，立刻擠出時間，親自開車來接我們，帶我們去看看她布置得漂亮又別緻的家。
一進門，三隻可愛的狗狗便熱情地跑過來迎接。
牠們忙著替我們「保管鞋子」，又興奮地黏在身旁。
等我們坐下聊天，那兩隻雙胞胎狗狗卻安靜了下來，並肩坐在窗邊，靜靜守望著外面的世界。
那一刻，我忽然很感動！
眼前這個安定、美好的家，誰會想到，二十多年前，曾經只是我們三房公寓裡擠進來的一對年輕夫妻？
那時候，他修完運動管理學的博士課程，準備拿了博士學位後回台灣到大學教書。
我們覺得可惜，幾經思量，便勸他們留下來。
後來，他努力申請中醫針灸學校，最後決定到 Boston 深造。
那段時間，他們曾經暫時和我們擠在三房的小公㝢裹，之後又去Boston 住兒子、媳婦家。
房子不大，生活也不容易，但年輕人有自己的夢想，我們能做的，就是在他們需要的時候，伸手扶一把。
後來，他們有了自己的家，也有了兩個寶貝兒子。
如今，一家人住在美麗的環境裡，孩子能接受很好的教育，家裡有三隻狗，還養了好多雞。
而他，也已經成為 Boston 商會的會長。
有自己的事業，有幸福的家庭，還願意拿出時間、精力與金錢服務社區。
看著今天的他們，我心裡只有一句話：
感恩。
不是因為我們當年做了什麼了不起的事情，而是因為當年那一點點善意，竟然在歲月裡長成了今天的模樣。
去年，我忽然收到Tai的一則訊息。
她正在研讀佛經中的「菩提善法」，談到善念、善行與福德。
她忽然對我說：
「伯母，這是在說你們喔！」
看著這句話，我想了很久。
其實，人一輩子做過多少好事，自己未必記得。
有些事情甚至做完就忘了。
但也許，天地不忘。
一個人的善，不一定要有人看見；
一個人的德，也不需要拿出來證明。
真正的善，是沒有人知道的時候，依然選擇善良。
真正的正氣，是沒有人鼓掌的時候，依然把該做的事情做好。
心存善念，行事光明。
也許這就是人與人之間最深的緣分。
你曾經給出去的溫暖，未必會從原來的地方回來。
它可能隔著十年、二十年，
換一個人，
換一種方式，
在你完全沒有預期的時候，
重新來到你的生命裡。
就像有一天，我正在髮廊做頭髮，Tai忽然打電話給我，說有一位 Ann Taylor 的經理想認識我。
從那以後，一箱一箱的衣服便陸續寄到家裡。
每累積二十件左右，就寄來一箱。
到現在，竟然已經六十幾件了。
起初我很不習慣，總想著：「這麼多衣服，我怎麼穿得完？還是送給別人吧！」
可是Tai總是對我說：
「我要看到妳每天穿上新衣服，開開心心，又漂漂亮亮！」
這句話，後來讓我慢慢明白了一件事。
我們這一代的人，好像很習慣「給」。
給孩子，
給家庭，
給朋友，
給身邊需要幫助的人。
可是，當別人想把愛給我們的時候，我們反而常常不好意思接受。
總覺得欠人情，
總想著要回報，
總覺得自己不應該拿那麼多。
直到現在，我才慢慢懂得：
接受愛，也是一種修行。
因為當你拒絕一份真心的愛時，其實也可能拒絕了對方表達愛的機會。
所以，人生後半場，也許要學習的不是如何得到更多，而是如何安然地接受已經來到身邊的美好。
一杯茶，
一件衣服，
一句問候，
一個擁抱，
一次遠道而來的陪伴……
都值得珍惜。
因為它們背後真正珍貴的，從來不是東西本身。
而是：
「我把你放在心上。」
走過大半人生，我越來越相信：
善良不會白費，
真心不會白給，
愛也不會消失。
它只是安靜地走過歲月，在最適當的時候，以另一種形式回到我們身邊。
所以現在的我，想學習一件事：
不只要繼續行善、繼續愛人，
也要學會微笑著接受別人的愛。
不推辭，
不虧欠，
不計較。
只是安安靜靜地說一聲：
「謝謝你，我收到了。」
也許，這就是人生走到後來，最溫柔的一種福氣。
種善因，結善緣；
惜福，惜緣，也惜眼前人。
願我們都能心存善念，身行善事。
願所有曾經付出的愛，都在歲月深處開花。
也願我們到了人生的後半程，依然有能力愛人，也有福氣——被愛。
<2026-08-10>
A Kind Heart, and the Echoes of Time
As we grow older, I find myself believing more and more that many things in life have their own causes, connections, and timing.
A small act of kindness that we offered without expecting anything in return may seem insignificant at the time.
But years later, when we least expect it, that little seed may quietly blossom into something beautiful.
Last month, we went to Cape Cod to celebrate our son and daughter-in-law’s 25th wedding anniversary at a gathering by the sea.
We also went to Boston to accompany our grandson, Max, who was attending a summer program at Bobson University.
As grandparents, we naturally worried that this might be his first time being away from home for such a long period of time. So we promised to stay nearby with his uncle and aunt and keep him company.
Since we had decided not to drive, we were able to slow down and simply enjoy a change of scenery and a different pace of life.
Our dear Tai, whom affectionately call me “Auntie,” immediately made time for us. She drove over to pick us up and took us to see the beautiful and charming home she had created for her family.
The moment we walked through the door, three adorable dogs came running to greet us.
They were so excited that they seemed determined to “take care of” our shoes, and then happily stayed close by our side.
Once we sat down to talk, the two twin dogs quietly settled themselves by the window, watching over everything outside.
At that moment, looking around that beautiful home, I suddenly felt deeply moved and grateful.
More than twenty years ago, our Chi-Kung master’ s son came to America with his new bride , Tai, to study and build a family.
Today, he has become president of the Boston Chamber of Commerce.
Not only has he created a stable and beautiful life for his family, but he also continues to give his time, energy, and resources to serve the community.
Looking at the life they have built today, I could only think:
We truly did not place our faith in the wrong person.
I still remember those early years.
After completing his Ph.D., he came to New York to visit us. He was preparing to return to Taiwan to teach at a university.
We felt it would be such a pity for him to leave.
After much thought, we encouraged them to stay in America.
For a while, the young couple squeezed into our three-bedroom apartment with us.
During that time, he worked hard to apply to a school of Chinese medicine and acupuncture. After much effort and many challenges, he decided to continue his studies in Boston.
We immediately encouraged and helped them to stay with our son’s family for a while longer, until the time was right for them to move into a home of their own.
Then life unfolded.
They built their family and welcomed two wonderful sons.
Today, they live in such a beautiful place, surrounded by nature. Their two sons have had the opportunity to attend excellent schools. They have three dogs, many chickens, and a home surrounded by beauty and peace.
Sometimes it feels almost like a little paradise.
Last year, I suddenly received a message from my Tai:
She told me that she had been studying Buddhist teachings about cultivating goodness and awakening the heart.
She shared thoughts about kindness, virtue, and the power of a good heart.
Then she said something that touched me deeply:
“Auntie, I think this is talking about you and Uncle.”
I thought about those words for a long time.
Perhaps the good things we do in life are not meant to be remembered by us.
Sometimes we help someone and simply move on.
We don’t keep score.
We don’t wait for recognition.
But perhaps the universe remembers.
True kindness does not need an audience.
True integrity does not need applause.
Even when no one is watching, we choose to do what is right.
We choose not to hurt others.
We choose to keep our hearts open.
And perhaps that is one of the most beautiful mysteries of life:
The love and goodness we give may not return to us in the same form—or from the same people.
Sometimes it takes ten or twenty years.
Sometimes it comes through someone we never expected.
Sometimes it returns in a completely different form.
One day, while I was sitting at the hair salon, she suddenly called and told me that a manager from Ann Taylor wanted to meet me.
After that, large boxes of clothing began arriving at our home.
Whenever they accumulated to about twenty pieces, another box would arrive.
By now, I have received more than sixty pieces.
At first, I honestly didn’t know what to do with them.
I thought, “I could never wear all of these. Maybe I should give them away.”
But Tai would always say:
“I want to see you wearing something new every day—happy and beautiful!”
Those words gradually taught me something I had never really considered before.
People like us are often very comfortable with giving.
Giving to our children.
Giving to our families.
Giving to friends.
Giving to anyone who needs help.
But when someone wants to give something to us, we sometimes feel uncomfortable receiving it.
We worry that we owe them something.
We feel that we should repay them.
We wonder whether we deserve so much kindness.
As I grow older, I am learning that:
Learning to receive love is also a form of wisdom.
When we graciously accept someone’s love, we are not taking something away from them.
We are giving them the opportunity to express their love.
A cup of tea.
A beautiful piece of clothing.
A thoughtful phone call.
A visit from someone who made time to come see us.
A simple “How are you?”
These things may seem small, but what they really say is:
“You matter to me.”
After living through so many seasons of life, I believe more deeply than ever that kindness is never wasted.
A sincere heart is never wasted.
And love never truly disappears.
It simply travels quietly through time.
Then, when the moment is right, it finds its way back to us—sometimes in a form we could never have imagined.
So perhaps, in the second half of life, there is another lesson for us to learn.
Not only how to love.
Not only how to give.
But also how to receive.
To receive without embarrassment.
To receive without feeling indebted.
To receive without immediately thinking about how we can repay it.
Sometimes all we need to say is:
“Thank you. I receive your love.”
Perhaps that is one of life’s gentlest blessings.
Plant kindness.
Nurture good relationships.
Cherish the people around you.
And be grateful for the blessings already in your life.
May all the love we have given throughout the years quietly bloom somewhere along the way.
And may we always have the strength to love others—
<2026-08-10>