I began with my aunt’s interview, then we incorporated my version of coming to Canada, and then we explored my mother’s side of the story. At the time I wrote it I didn’t think my mother’s side was all that valid...because I was only interested in seeing it from my point of view. As well, how could I be a 'victim' if I started understanding another point of view?
After performing the play countless times...I finally started seeing my mother’s side...really seeing it, even though I had written her scenes as well.
I have come to appreciate so much of what my mother and father did for us. I am in awe that they came to another country to have a better life, and provide us with opportunities, with the challenges of not knowing the language or having thefoundation of family here already. It takes courage to uproot and move to foreign soil.
It’s so much easier to say others should change (forget tradition and what they were brought up with) to accommodate our lives (living in a new culture, freedom from past)...when the actual challenge and reward is to change ourselves and understand others.
It’s been an amazing journey which has brought my mother and I much closer. I see her as my guide and not as my oppressor.
All that changed was my way of thinking.
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