The World Of Tzu Chi(Vol.112)

2019 • 07 46 he knew no better than to replicate the behaviour demonstrated by his family and the home environment he was brought up in. “Let bygones be bygones. It’s time to make amends to avoid inheriting negative karma in your next lifetime,” she advised both father and son. A week later, Cai-yun noticed the straight- faced Grandpa Cao looking unusually cheery during her visit. She sensed from the latter’s beaming smile that he had reconciled with his son. After Grandpa Cao’s demise barely a month later, she received a phone call from his son, who expressed his remorse and regret at not having spent more quality time with his late father in his lifetime. This experience revealed to Cai-yun the detrimental consequences on family relationships when love is removed from the equation. If one is deprived of love, his or her understanding of love is distorted or absent, resulting in unhealthy family relationships that harm those closest to them. Cai-yun’s observations of the care recipients’ predicaments allowed her to gain a profound understanding of the human condition, in addition to the realization that impermanence not only manifests itself in unforeseen circumstances, but also in the complexities of human relationships. Cai-yun is often occupied with home visits and care-giving duties, but she finds the work meaningful and fulfilling as a way of spending time productively. She and her husband have remained childless. Hence, her mother, who was concerned that the couple would grow old without any next- of-kin for company, advised them to consider adopting a child. Cai-yun would assuage her mother’s worries by reassuring her that she would never be short of company as she has the support of her extended Tzu Chi family. Putting her best foot forward Cai-yun and her mother-in-law have been living harmoniously under the same roof for over three decades. “My mother-in-law treats me like Cai-yun (back row, far right) poses for a group photo with the volunteers and seniors of the elderly enrichment class held fortnightly at the Yunong Tzu Chi Community Centre in Shilin. eople