I Dedicated My First Book To My Brother

I dedicated my first book to my brother, Tony. I did not tell him about this, so he will likely find out when he receives the physical copy and turns to the first page. (or if you’re reading this, bro?)

There is a 12 year age gap between me and my brother, Tony. It was until he moved back home a few years ago that I started to learn about him. What food does he like? What clothes does he wear? What hobbies does he have? He was studying and working outside of the country for a long time and I have always been too busy with my school work. The annual visit was never enough for us to get to know each other.

He said I turned out to be a decent human being, which I was glad to hear. He said I changed for the better and was different from how he portraited me to be ten years ago.

We are both sensitive, detailed-oriented people. However, he is calm and logical. I am the dramatic, emotional one. He does not easily reveal his thoughts to others, obviously very different from me. I find it impossible for me to hide my feelings (this is probably one of the big factors of me being a writer.) The special balance between this brother-sister relationship makes us support each other even more.

What’s funny is that I never wrote anything for him in the past twenty years. I wish I did. So here I am, writing this for him.

Tony, I dedicated this book to you because I want to give you all the credits for supporting me chasing after my dream — be a creative person and to write. I’m glad you were different from others. You did not force me into applying for medical school. You did not forget every goal I told you that I wanted to achieve. You listened, and you were there for me. You have always been.

There were people who laughed at me when I told them I like writing and wanted to publish a book. You were the strongest force that made me believe I could be who I wanted to be. I can and I have every right to do what I love.

You understood my struggles of being stuck in between Asian and American cultures. I no longer have to be too “polite” and no longer is too “wild” for anyone. You trusted me and have always been. Thank you.

There are few poems in the book I write thinking about all the complicated situations we have to deal with, including family relationships, freedom, loneliness, and dreams. I believe I don’t need to tell you which ones they are, if you read them, you will know.

“If you are blessed to have a sibling who is like a friend and a mentor, appreciate his/her existence. Nothing is better than having a special relationship like that.” — Amy Hsuan Chiu

There are hardships in our lives and we each get different challenges. Thanks for being there for me. I will be there for you too and might one day publish another book all about our silly stories growing up. So don’t be too shocked if that does happen ;)

Love,

Amy Hsuan Chiu