林榮峰 | Emily Lee
材料 | Media: Oil painting
感恩與被愛
昨天午覺睡飽，接到惠香及孟松的電話（台灣人筆會會長夫婦），又問起這麼久沒有寫文章，說牆上的畫這麼多還沒寫完？
我又被他們的鼓勵激起了需要交差的勇氣。這個母親節將至，就拿這張畫來分享「感恩」及「被愛」的部分！
不知何年何月的母親節，李教授送給我這張卡片，也不知怎麼搞的，我把它存在抽屜裡。疫情期間，不方便出門，有時間就好好整理東西及畫畫、織毛衣。當時正好在畫這個主題系列「你家的Corner？」時看到這張卡片，馬上聯想到這麼多年來它埋在心底裡的被愛的信物，由一張不起眼的卡片裡，發出暖暖的訊息、感慰！
作為一個基督徒，每天一大早醒來的第一句話：「阿爸天父，在這新的一天，求祢賜下成聖的靈，更新我裡面的人。奉主耶穌聖名，阿們！」（彼得前書一：2：「你們蒙選召是按照父上帝預定的旨意，是藉著聖靈而成為聖潔的，為的要順服耶穌基督，並受祂的血的潔淨。願恩惠平安多多地加給你們。」）
每天一早，走出房間，馬上感受到滿滿的幸福感！
看到壁上的畫，每一幅都是我的小孩，我的傑作，常常在想、思考這個問題。我經歷十月懷胎，有一對兒女。而這些畫——形而上的、內心深處的累積——都是我的能量的一環，我看著它們就像我的兒女們一般。每幅畫都會勾起我長長的回憶。
我稱我的客廳是我的畫廊，也是我的道館。道館裡有實牆可以練功，也有長椅可以靜坐，又有足夠的空間可以打拳、練走路，整個上午都是如此的美好。我的內心就是感恩又感謝🙏
兩天前媳婦從夏威夷傳來訊息、影片及照片，兒子在全國整形外科的年會上得到今年的兩個大獎——最佳研究獎及最佳導師獎。昨晚打電話來問安，原來這些日子他都忙著在外開會。做母親的我告訴他：你得這個獎是今年母親節的最佳禮物，他卻是謙虛地說，沒有什麼，只是被告知要穿晚禮服去及說幾句話！
兒子長相像我，小時候李教授為拚研究、教職、拚終身職，沒日沒夜地忙。兩個小孩都是我自己教識字、念書，所以我們的感情特別的深厚。後來他在醫學院念書時，在他五年的外科訓練時，當時學校、醫院經費不足，他常常一個人兩個責任一身扛，往往我們一年中見不到幾次面。他常會為此感到抱歉，然而我都告訴他，你儘管努力地學習，不用擔心我們，他就是這麼努力地拚，拚到完成最後的目標：整形外科。
二十幾年前我們搬到法拉盛的公寓，慢慢習慣了住在公寓的方便，可惜空間太小，直到有一天隔壁的公寓要出售，公寓大廈管理規定不能擁有兩間，告訴兒子、媳婦幫忙，出面處理。唯一問題就是他們都忙，然而一定要抽出一天帶小孩全家來面試，他們知道我們的難處，馬上答應幫忙完成任務。
當年的決定使我們在年老的時候，有充足的空間享受自由的生活。如今我們年紀大了，不方便開長途去探望他們了，而我每天還繼續在享受他們的付出的結果。我的內心總感覺這是在他們的家，活在他們的愛裡。
這幅畫聯想到我每天得到的「恩典」及「被愛」，感恩之餘下筆來分享。
祝大家母親節快樂！
<2026-05-05>
Gratitude and Being Loved
Yesterday, after a satisfying afternoon nap, I received a call from Sharon and Mengsong, president of Taiwan Pen Club Association. They asked why I hadn’t written anything for so long, saying that there are so many paintings on my wall that I still haven’t written about.
Once again, their encouragement stirred in me the courage to “turn in my assignment.” With Mother’s Day approaching, I would like to share this painting as a reflection on “gratitude” and “being loved.”
I don’t remember which year it was, but on one Mother’s Day, Professor Lee gave me this card. For some reason, I put it away in a drawer. During the pandemic, when it was inconvenient to go out, I finally had time to organize my things, paint, and knit. At that time, as I was working on my series “Your Corner?”, I came across this card. Immediately, it reminded me of how, all these years, it had ，quietly held within it a token of being loved, buried deep in my heart. From such an ordinary card came a gentle warmth and comfort.
As a Christian, the first words I say every morning upon waking are:“Abba Father, on this new day, please grant me a sanctifying spirit and renew my inner being. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.”(1 Peter 1:2: “Who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with His blood. Grace and peace be yours in abundance.”)
Every morning, as soon as I step out of my room, I immediately feel a deep sense of happiness.
Looking at the paintings on the wall, each one is like my child—my own creation. I often reflect on this: I carried and gave birth to my children, and I have a son and a daughter. These paintings—formed from the intangible, from the depths of my inner life—are also part of my energy and being. When I look at them, I see them as I see my children. Each painting brings back long and vivid memories.
I call my living room both my gallery and my dojo. Here, there are walls to practice against, a bench for meditation, and enough space to do tai chi, to exercise, and to do tai chi walk. My mornings pass in this way, full of simple beauty. My heart is filled with gratitude and thankfulness.
Two days ago, my daughter-in-law sent messages, videos, and photos from Hawaii. My son received two major awards at the national conference of plastic surgery this year—the Best Research Award and the Best Mentor Award. Last night, he called to check in. It turns out he has been busy attending conferences. As a mother, I told him, “This is the best Mother’s Day gift this year.” He humbly replied that it was nothing—he was simply told to wear
Tuxedo and say a few words.
My son resembles me. When he was young, Professor Lee was fully occupied with research 、teaching & his tenure , working day and night. I spent most of my time teaching them, so our bond is especially close. Later, when he was in medical school and during his five years of surgical training, resources were limited. He often carried the burden of two positions on his own. Sometimes we would only see each other a few times a year. He often felt sorry about this, but I always told him, “Focus on your work and learning—don’t worry about us.” Step by step, with perseverance, he reached his goal in plastic surgery.
More than twenty years ago, we moved into an apartment in Flushing. We gradually became accustomed to the convenience of apartment living, though the space was small. One day, the neighboring unit went up for sale, but building regulations did not allow us to own two units. We asked our son and daughter-in-law to help handle it. Although they were very busy, they made time to come with the whole family to assist us. Understanding our situation, they willingly helped us complete this matter.
That decision has allowed us, in our later years, to enjoy a more spacious and free life. Now that we are older and it is no longer easy to travel long distances to visit them, I continue to live each day enjoying the results of their care and effort. In my heart, I often feel that I am living in their apartment, living within their love.
This painting reminds me of the “grace” and “being loved” that I receive each day. With a grateful heart, I write and share this with you.
Wishing everyone a happy Mother’s Day.
<2026-05-05>