These are the three words I could use to describe my spouse, zhāng shù xiáng.
Since I met him, he has always mentioned about how Aba and Chin Chueh Zu Shi
have helped him to become a person who is full of life. As someone who doesn’t
really believe in the existence of a higher self, I’ve always felt that my
spouse was making up the story.
However, every single day, I keep seeing shù xiáng as a person who has a drive
to do something bigger. During the toughest moment in his life when he had a
brain tumor, shù xiáng has never stopped to keep giving his best every single
day. In fact, I was amazed by his passion and bravery, as well as discipline
on giving his all. In fact, here’s something that he has done in the past few
months:
Before his surgery in October 17:
1) Since he didn’t want me to miss any work, he went to the MRI, Cat Scan,
bloodwork, Neurosurgeon, Neurologist, and much more by himself. — I’ve
only asked accompanied him twice on the whole process.
2) As a husband, he cooked for my breakfast, lunch, and dinner every single
day without fail. — In the morning, he would wake up at 5 AM to make
breakfast for me. At night, he would cook dinner as well as prepared my
lunch for my work.
3) As a business owner, he would work tiredlessly in his business to make
sure his clients are being taken care of. There is no fear, no hesitation,
and not even a complaint even though shù xiáng was diagnosed with the
second largest tumor in one of the biggest hospitals in New York.
4) As a Chin Chueh disciples, he would go to temple without fail. For him,
Aba and Zu Shi are his savior. When Aba told him that his surgery on
October 17 would be successful, I still had a lot of doubt, but shù xiáng
just smiled and kept staying focus on what he needed to do.
5) As he knew that he might need to postpone our wedding, two days before
the surgery, he decided to take one day off to wedding picture in long
Island and beach. He has even prepared Champagne and wedding flowers.
6) As he doesn’t want to be a burden to anyone, he moved his stuff from a
two-bedroom apartment to a 7 X 10 storage room. This way, after the
surgery, he could just focus on his recovery.
7) As shù xiáng knew it will take time to recover, he has even transitioned
his business to his Vice President ahead of time. This way, his customers
would be taken care of.
8) Since the tumor was very huge, Shù xiáng decided to use a Keto Diet and
lost more than 16 lbs in two weeks. In fact, during the MRI, it showed
that the tumor was shrinking. — For me, I have never seen such a discipline
person in my life.
9) Befor Shù xiáng went to the operating room, the only word that I heard
from him was… “See you later”. He smiled and left with the doctors.
After the surgery on October 17:
1) Shù xiáng read two books in one week. — He told me that even though he
couldn’t use computers for a while, he would still need to improve himself
every single day.
2) Since my parents were on vacation, he kept trying to perform his duty as
a husband by cooking for me. Though I told him not to do so, he told me
that it was his obligation. After my parents came back from Vacation, my
mom took over the responsibilities.
3) He found a new place for us and has even coordinated all the moving in
which we have now a new place to reside.
Of course, there are a lot of things that he has done in which is hard
to describe as he is always ahead of the game. Shù xiáng always told me that
every action that he takes represents the teaching from Zu Shi. This is WHY
his action has to be in line with what Zu Shi has taught him as he doesn’t
want to embarassed Aba and Zu Shi. For me, that’s a religion I want to know
more. It is because every action that he takes makes me proud of what he
believes. The more I saw shù xiáng, the more I want to get to know Chin Chueh
Zu Shi. So, thank you for showing shù xiáng how to be a better person and
a better spouse. I am sure I have a lot to learn as well.
