Blog

3/27/2017

Empathy and Compassion:

by: Jessica Zhang

“There are two kinds of people in this world. Those who just live. And those who live with passion and compassion”. I remember those exact words my Grandmother used to say to me. I was about five at the time and was just visiting my grandparent’s home for the summer months. I called her “Popo”, and she was my favorite person to be around.

Popo was a kind and compassionate person. She loved helping people without asking for anything in return. She would donate food and clothes to charities and orphanages and put her whole heart and soul into preparing delicious meals for her grandchildren. That summer was probably one of the fondest and happiest memories of my early childhood. Sadly, it was also the last summer I got to spend with her before she passed away.

How did Popo become such a special person in my life? I was born in China. For the first two years of my life, I was raised by my grandparents. However, when I turned 3, I left to join my parents to start a new life in the States.

My new life and home was initially very difficult and scary, especially starting school. I was the shy girl who didn’t know anyone and had a hard time making new friends. I would always be coming home from school, crying, asking when will I be able to see Popo again. Visits were rare, but whenever it happened, it meant the whole world to me.

The Devastating news came a month before my 8^th birthday. Popo died of brain cancer. With nowhere to turn to, I started writing. Eventually, writing became something I was passionate about.

Before I left for the States, Popo had given my mother a journal meant for me. As the years went by, I continued to write in it daily no matter what I was feeling or thinking. I would feel as if Popo was with me in spirit.

In high school, her compassionate spirit came to me, when I decided to take the lead in organizing a community fundraiser. When a terrible earthquake and tsunami hit the coast of Japan in March 2011, I was saddened and struck by the news. I wanted to help but knew my support was going to be insignificant compared to the destruction that occurred. Eventually, I could hear my grandmother’s voice in my head – “have passion and compassion” – encouraging me to overcome my fears and take the initiative.

The fundraiser started out small from a school classroom but eventually grew. Donations and food cans were coming in every day. Word spread and by the end of March, the whole town community, even my neighbors, pitched in with sending food cans, monetary donations, and preparing aid kits to send to Japan. By mid-April, there were over 2,000 food cans and $1000 in donations ready to send to victims in Japan, through the American Red Cross.

I had just accomplished something I did not think possible. Deep down, I knew Popo would have been very proud because she would have done the same thing too.

In college, her compassionate spirit came to me again when my fellow peers and I decided to form a global development student chapter. The chapter was meant to create awareness and recognize the work needed to support educational resources for children in developing countries, who do not have access. We were selling bracelets, attending events, raising awareness with campaigns as chapter members. Eventually, from our hard work and efforts, the group became an official student organization of the university called Room to Read at the George Washington University. We were giving a future to someone who would not otherwise have it possible.

Like Popo, I lead my life with passion and compassion. I am inspired by her every day to live the best life possible and to be kind. Popo has been very crucial in shaping the person I am today. She was the one who taught me the courage to overcome obstacles in life with her journal. She was the one who helped me understood more about myself, and I must put myself in someone else’s shoes first. There is a whole future that lies ahead of me, but one thing I know I will never forget. I hope to continue to live like Popo, living life and doing things with passion and compassion.