十七年寒窗苦读(美国学前班是1年,小学到高中是12年,大学是4年),大儿子终于梦想成真,得到了医学院的MD/Ph.D. 录取!这一刻,我们全家人又高兴又激动!回想这些年来,他走过的历程, 流下的汗水,真是让我们感悟满满!
刚上小学,我们也象大多数华人家长一样,望子成龙,生怕儿子输在了起跑线上。我们白天上班,平时晚上和周末总是忙着送大儿子去参加各种活动,将他的生活安排地满满的,周六去中文学校,学中文与奥数,周日去学钢琴,学游泳,平时晚上学滑冰,台拳道。大儿子太累了,常常是晚上坐在沙发上,休息一会就睡着了。大儿子很听话,总是积极投入并刻苦努力,但当看到别的孩子在比赛中成绩更优异或得到了各项大奖,对自己有些失望,觉得自己不如别人聪明。我们总是开导,鼓励并帮助他建立自信,不要羡慕别人的成就,而应该脚踏实地做好每一件事!记得2000年夏天,我们和儿子们一起看大片《Gladiator》(角斗士),大儿子被影片中主人公的执着所感动,我们也趁机引导他:人生就象一场马拉松比赛,只有坚韧不拔,挑战自我,才能走向成功!
初中开始,大儿子更加努力。当得知他的朋友考入了大学里的Talented Mathematics Program ,他开始积极准备,每天回家做大量的练习题,经过3 个月紧张的奋斗,他终于考上了。
大儿子进入高中后,立志要进入顶尖大学。他每天抓紧时间,拼命学习,成绩突飞猛进。他每周去大学两次,参加数学精英班,课后还需花大量时间做作业。由于课程进度快,难度大,不少学生选择了放弃。大儿子凭着毅力,用5年时间,提前完成了大学的数学课程并顺利毕业。每个暑假,他还到大学医学院的实验室,学做实验和参加科研项目。他的坚持与努力,不仅培养了他对生命科学的兴趣,还让他获得了好的结果。他的科研项目参加了州里的科学竞赛,最终进入西门子科学竞赛的半决赛(semi-finalist)。除此之外,他一直积极参加学校的多项课外活动和科学竞赛。功夫不负有心人,进入高四不久,他就收到了加州理工学院的提前录取。
刚进入加州理工学院,大儿子就树立了进医学院的理想。大学的四年,他的刻苦努力变成为良好的习惯,各门课程获得了优异的成绩。他每周抽出两个下午,义务辅导中学生。每年暑假,他都在学院的实验室工作10周。他还到洛杉矶儿童医院急诊室做义工。他连续两年被学院提名进入Barry Goldwater Scholarship, 并进入了Honor Roll。大儿子想学医,一是希望能治病救人,服务于社会,二是他有一种使命感,希望能继承家族的事业(我们家族一共有10名医生),走向世界。在美国申请医学院,竞争十分激烈,要求很高。大儿子在繁忙的课程, 义务工作和作毕业项目的同时,参加MCAT 考试,报考MD/Ph.D,准备interview等等。大儿子在高节奏和高压力下,坚持到底,终于从众多的申请人中脱颖而出,收获了成功,超越了自我!
通过大儿子的成长,我们也深深体会到:不是每一个孩子都是天才或有着超常的智力,父母积极引导鼓舞孩子从小树立远大理想与目标,并为之不倦地奋斗,希望就在眼前。让正能量的鼓励象波浪一样,传播到每一个家庭!也祝愿每一个耕耘者,都有可喜的收获!
以下是小儿子在4月10日,美国的同胞节,写给他哥哥的邮件:
Dear Brother,
Over the years, you've matured in a lot of ways. Our conversations have gotten deeper, your goals have gotten more specific, and your drive is admired by just about everyone that knows you. That's why when I heard about your admission to Medical School, I just melted in joy; I'd never seen someone work so hard and relentless for something that could possibly produce unfavorable results. There was some sort of indescribable bond that made me feel almost connected to you in that exact moment that I've tried my best to describe. I know that brothers are supposed to be support beams for each other. There at every moment in case of a collapse to pick each other back up. I know that older brothers are supposed to be some sort of model of inspiration to look up to. Someone that when people see and above all else, their younger brother sees, they will go "wow look at that person he's incredible!". But to me you're more than that. You're someone that's there before the disaster. Someone that will jump in and say "no don't do that". Someone that will ask how I'm doing when things are moving along perfectly just to make sure. Someone who will listen to my concerns and address them no matter how small they may seem. You've become the best version of yourself over these few years and I know that you won't let anyone or anything take away from your continued progress.
You're my superstar, my biggest supporter, my life coach, my best friend.
You are my brother, and I've never been more proud or satisfied to say those words.
Happy National Siblings Day.
Your younger brother
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