Blog Post #4

In the fourth and final section of reading, Jing-mei’s story deals with superstition blending into wisdom. Again, cultural tensions emerge as a motif. At the beginning of her narrative, Jing-mei describes her first reaction to the “life’s importance” pendant; she had found it garish and unstylish, yet since her mother’s death she has come to realize its meaning. Once symbolizing only a cultural difference between herself and her mother, the pendant has now become a testament to the maternal wisdom and love that Jing-mei once mistook—indeed, perhaps due to cultural differences—for superstition and criticism. This reminds me that humans don't know what they have until it's gone, nor do they appreciate it. Although this is not true for some people, often times, many individuals take what they have and who they have for granted. I enjoyed reading about Jing-mei's realization about her mother because it taught her a lesson and forced her to have a new perspective. It is easy to relate to this because I am also guilty of taking who I have (or had rather) in my life for granted. Although it is tragic to loose a relative, it makes their time on Earth that much more meaningful.