The photo above was taken the day I was discharged from the hospital after open-heart surgery, also known as a quadruple bypass. It has now been four weeks since that day. The first four days in the hospital were challenging, and I was grateful to go home on day four. My recovery has given me time to reflect and gain …

My sister Lisa passed away from heart failure in 2001. I felt called to get this Chinese character (see photo) tattooed over my heart to honor her. I sought out elders in Chinatown, who spent weeks in consultation over which characters would best serve her memory. The three characters together mean “Oldest sister’s spirit lives on within me.” I believe …