Thirty-six years ago today, I became a father: My first child was born on May 4, 1987. Happy birthday, Dan!
As parents, we all want to see our children doing well. If they do, we are happy. If they do not, our hearts get broken. This is human nature, universally.
For a child to do well, all three elements must be right: parenting, self-effort, and the environment.
There has been no better environment than America over the past 36 years! But will this still be true 36 years from now? I am worried, deeply …
1. Some flashback
Thirty-six years ago, I was a Ph.D. student at Vanderbilt University, living on a research assistantship of $1,000 a month. Life was tough. Two examples:
- In order to prepare for our first child to arrive, my wife and I moved from a one-room studio to a one-bedroom suite, an expensive but necessary upgrade!
- After Dan was born, I moonlighted as a front-desk man downstairs in our on-campus dorm. It was a graveyard shift (12 am-4 am), at $5/hour, but good enough to buy a lot of diapers! Better yet, the job was basically duty-free, allowing me to read, write, and think about my day job (i.e., the Ph.D. work)!
Most importantly, I was determined: “I shall finish my Ph.D. as soon as possible, so as to start a real life in America.” After all, a key reason for me to come to America (from Japan) in 1985 was to pursue a better life for myself, as well as for my children in the future …
2. America, the beautiful!
Today, I am happy to say that I have made it – My American Dream Has Come True!
What about Dan?
He is also on his way to making it! In 2005, he became an Illinois state champion in swimming. More significantly, he was the only male high school graduate that year, in the entire state of Illinois, who made both IHSA’s All-State Academic Team (13 males and 13 females) and Chicago Tribune’s Scholar-Athlete Team (10 males and 10 females).
After graduating from Yale (Economics) in 2009, he worked for several companies until 2021, when he founded its own start-up (https://www.therealseat.com/) – It is intended to rival Ticket Master and Stub Hub (his last employer). I am so proud of you, Dan!
Oh, our second child Ben was born on April 26, 1989. After graduating from the University of Michigan (BBA – Bachelor of Business Administration), he has been working for GE around the globe. A few weeks ago, he was promoted to be the CFO of a major line of business within GE – What a remarkable accomplishment!
For more, read The battle hymn of the tiger father.
America, what a great place to have a family – I love America!
3. Where is America today?
America is deeply in trouble – The most warlike nation in the history of the world (Jimmy Carter: US ‘Most Warlike Nation in History of the World’) is now at war with Russia (via Ukraine), a nuclear power!
Two informative readings:
4. Where will America be 36 years from now?
That will be year 2059 – I will be 100-year-old by then! So, should I even care?
Yes, I should. So should you, for our children and grandchildren!
At the current pace, America will be a very bad place to live by then, if the Earth is still here without being destroyed by America’s evil MIC!
America must be saved – I am determined to do so, with my pen!
5. “Saving America, Chinese Style”
This is the title of my first book published in 2011 (Saving America, Chinese Style). It represents my unique school of thought, which remains unchanged over the past 12 years, although my writings have significantly improved since then.
Below is my last book.
You can READ the 1st ~50 pages online, FREE (by clicking “Look inside”). Enjoy!
That is such a cute photo of your wife and baby son! And such a sweet photo of you and your grandchild. Good on you Frank. These are the richest moments of our lives!