背影 Backshadow

許多人都讀過朱自清的「背影」（如果你沒看過或想再讀一次的話，可以在這兒看到）。中學時代每次讀到他在文中藉著他父親送他上火車時爬過月臺為他買橘子過程的描述流露出對父親深切的思念，往往和他一同流淚。沒想到事隔多年，現代「新背影」就在我們自家上演。。。

我每天都送女兒上學。雖然有校車接送，但是上車時間很早。她因每天練琴讀書都睡得晚，我想讓她多睡一點，所以我自己送她到學校去。我通常會先幫她把早餐準備好帶在車上，然後她一邊吃著早餐，我們一邊聊天一起上班上學。到了學校停車場，下車後她需要走一段斜坡才能進到學校去，我在停車場迴轉一圈離開之前，都可以看到她背著背包，慢慢往教室走去的背影。我現在已經養成了一個習慣，在離開以前都會很快的在學生群中搜尋她的背影，然後面帶微笑滿足地離開，並開始為她的一天禱告。很快地她即將離開家去上大學，我相信我會想念這一段兩人每天固定獨處的時光，也會將她交託在主的手中，天天為她祈求與感恩。

感謝您父神，帶領Vivian認識您這位又真又活的神。我祈禱她能全心尋求您，且在她一切的需要上依靠您。父神，求您牽住她的手使她不害怕，保守她的平安，領她經過困難的時刻，並讓她明白你與她同在；您是她的神，使她不驚惶。您必堅固她，幫助她；必用您公義的右手扶持她。阿門。

你不要害怕、因為我與你同在。不要驚惶、因為我是你的　神。我必堅固你、我必幫助你、我必用我公義的右手扶持你。 －－ 以賽亞書41：10

I am pretty sure many people know about the article "backshadow" by Mr. Ziqing Zhu. I am not sure how to translate the title into English correctly and it actually means the look of someone from behind. It was in our middle school Chinese textbook. He showed that he missed his father very much by remembering how his father climbed over the train station platform to buy tangerines for him(this was published in 1925 by the way). I am always touched no matter how many times I have read it before. Many years later, the similar situation is happening in my own family...

I drop Vivian off to school everyday. Though there are school buses available but they come very early. Vivian always stays late for practicing and school work, so I decided to take her to school myself. I usually get the breakfast ready so she can eat in the car, then we will hop in the car and go to school/work together. She needs to walk a 200-feet slope from school parking lot to the building, so I can still see her after I make a U-turn in the parking lot before I leave. I have developed a habit to look for her from behind, watch her walking among the students, and start to pray for her. I am pretty sure in a couple of years after she goes to college, I will miss the precious time we have together, and I will remember her in my prayer everyday.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for leading Vivian into knowing You, the living God. I pray that she will follow You and lean on You wholeheartedly. Father, please hold her hand so she will not be afraid, keep her safe, lead her through difficult time, strengthen her and help her, and let her know that You are her God and You will be with her always. Amen.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. -- Isaiah 41:10