I don’t look like the rest of my family. As a matter of fact, I stand out quite a bit with my white skin and blue eyes. When people see us together, it is clear that I am adopted. I am happy to have such a loving and caring family, but sometimes I wish I knew who my birth parents are.

My friends often ask, “Are you sad that you don’t know your real parents?” I know that they are just curious and concerned about me — I’m fine, for the most part — but I feel like there’s something missing in my life, like a giant hole in my heart. My mother listens when I tell her about my feelings, and she feels that it is important for me to be in touch with my culture. Because of this, she and I go to Chinese Heritage Camp (CHC) each year in Snow Mountain Ranch.

CHC is a two-day camp where hundreds of adopted kids like me spend time with each other. We talk about how it feels to be adopted, and we participate in fun outdoor activities. It’s great because we can talk about our feelings without having the conversation get too intense. Confusion, occasional disappointment and anger are no longer strange; they are normal here. It makes me feel like I am not alone, and there is someone out there going through the exact same emotions. Whether we’re talking, laughing, crying, or dancing, CHC is always an experience to remember. I like all of the new people I meet, and I will keep them in my heart forever, because it always feels good to know there are people out there just like me.

In this way, my journey to find my roots continues for several years. I also gradually come out from the shadow of a seemingly inseparable teenager. Camp has changed the way I look at things. Each year seems to open up new surprises, adventures and friendships.

CHC teaches me to learn that being adopted doesn’t mean that I’m strange.

I also sincerely love and thank my parents.

Jane was still sleeping when the phone rang in the living room. She opened her sleepy eyes and looked at the clock on the table. It was already nine o’clock! Although Jane was still very sleepy, she knew she had to get up because her mother was working in her office and she couldn’t expect her younger brother Tom, who was sleeping like a pig, to answer the Phone. She quickly put on a coat and ran to the living room. When she picked up the receiver, on the other end came the warm greeting, “Good morning!”

It was from her father, who was a seaman and rarely came back. Suddenly, Jane’s sleepiness disappeared.

Born in a not-so-rich family, Jane and Tom felt the stress of life, but they were happy to enjoy the family atmosphere. At school, they were straight-A students and took part in various after-school activities. They were the pride of the family.

“Good morning, Dad. Why do you call us so early on the weekend?” Jane said and pretended to be annoyed. “Tom and I have been very nice recently.” “My dear, today is your mother’s birthday, and I have ordered a cake online and it will be sent to our home late in the afternoon. Do remember to take the cake. It is my surprise for your mother.”

Hearing her father’s words, Jane felt a little ashamed. How could she forget her mother’s birthday?!

While she was chatting with her father, Jane looked around the room and saw a lot of dirty clothes on the sofa. The floor hadn’t been cleaned for a few days since her mother had to work all this week.

She looked at the clock again and was sure that she still had enough time to prepare a surprise for her mother.

“Well, Dad, now I’m going to wake Tom up. We will give Mum a surprise, too!” Jane said and hung up the telephone.

Jane hurried to Tom’s room and shared her plan with him.

“Happy birthday, Mum!” Jane and Tom shouted when their mother opened the door.

Sean was a single father of three kids who had just lost their mother to cancer. Shortly afterwards, he had to sell his house to pay the medical bills. Worse still, he had to quit his job as a regional manager due to too many absences he acquired in taking care of his wife while she was sick. Their lives sank into extreme poverty. He had to do part-time work to pay off his debts. He never imagined what his life would become. Everything felt hopeless. Anyway, he continued with his life, earning barely enough money to feed his kids.

Today was a bit different.He went to the nearest gas station after work.He had an extra $2 with which he could buy himself a cheap hot dog. It was a little treat he would give himself. As he walked toward the gas station, he saw a man panicking, saying something to a woman in the car. Not knowing why they were so worried,he continued walking until the man called out to him.

“Sir, I’m so sorry to ask, but my wife is in labor(临产), and we’re out of gas. I left my wallet and phone at home as we were rushing out of the house. Is there any way you can help me?” the man said. His desperate eyes pulled at Sean’s heartstrings.

“Well, sir. I only have 2 dollars, but you can have it!” Sean said, reaching into his pocket and producing the 2 dollars. “Thank you! That works. I have a few coins in the car, but I can get a gallon and reach the hospital with that.” The man took the bills gratefully.

“I’m Matthew. Please give me your contact information so I can pay you back.” “No need. I only hope you and your wife get to the hospital safely,” Sean smiled. But Matthew insisted. Finally, Sean gave him his number.

The following morning, Sean received a video call from Matthew.

Knowing Sean’s experience, Matthew invited him to be a regional manager in his company.

Music is my first love. I can sit down at my electronic keyboard and forget all about time and space, all about my problems. During the lowest moments in my life, music was my savior. Besides, I would like to thank two volunteer organizations — one is America’s Veterans Services and the other is The Paul Hazelton House for seniors and the disabled.

I was a veteran (老兵). After I got out of the service, I began a career in music, and then became an ironworker for higher pay. A few years ago, the one-bedroom house I rented in Massachusetts was sold. The developer planned to tear it down. The property manager gave me two months rent-free to find a new place to live. It didn’t help because I’d been disabled from an accident at work and was living on benefits. Nothing affordable turned up.

With the help of two friends, I silently and hopelessly packed up my belongings and moved everything — including my electronic keyboard — into storage. I slept in my car, thinking it wouldn’t last long. But weeks turned into months and the months into years. My car had become my home.

The one thing that kept me alive was music. I would lose myself in music. Although I had developed cataracts (白内障), nothing could keep my fingers from finding the right keys.

However, I hit my real low one Christmas Eve. I was driving down a narrow back road to where I would park my car and sleep at night. I turned right and accidentally ran into a wall. My car — my only home — lost its right front end.

At that point, I really had no place to live. Fortunately, Bruce Knight, a retired firefighter, heard about me. He drove me to a homeless shelter in York County where I stayed for 75 days. That’s where I met with case managers from Volunteers of America's Veterans Services. They helped me move into their housing, a place called Huot House. I was able to sign up for Veterans Administration benefits and get the cataract treatment I needed to recover my eyesight.

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Ken Darby, manager of Huot House, told me to move toward life.

I went to volunteer for the “Day of Caring” held by The Paul Hazelton House.

It was a beautiful day for sightseeing. We were a group of students just out for some fun. The weather was perfect for a picnic, so when lunch time came, we set our sights on a small park. Since we all had different things to buy, we decided to get what each of us wanted, and meet back on the grass in a few minutes.

When my friend Joy headed for a hot dog shop, I decided to go with her. We watched the seller put together the perfect hot dog, just the way we wanted it. But when we took out our money to pay the bill, the seller surprised us.

“You are the first customers to visit, and the first order is given to you for free,” he said.

After we thanked him, we joined our friends in the park, and dug into our food. But as we talked and ate, I was distracted (分心) by a man sitting alone nearby, looking at us. I could tell that he hadn’t showered for days. Another homeless person, I thought, like all the others you see in cities. I didn’t pay much more attention than that.

After we finished eating, we packed our lunch bags and prepared to throw them away.

Suddenly, a strong voice came from that homeless person.

Joy asked me to wait for her for a minute and ran to the hot dog shop.