Margaret Hsieh:  

I am the oldest girl in my family. I have a younger sister and an older half brother. My mother was Irish. My father was Chinese. I had a very interesting childhood. I learned to read people at a very early age and soon realized the importance of inner strength and faith in the intangible things of life. We were not rich in material things but we were rich in values and character. Both my parents were citizens and well educated although not rich in worldly wealth. The thing I remember most about growing up was having the family meal together. There was no such thing as eating alone or each person eating a separate or special meal. During that meal, my father would always weave in some type of ethical lesson in parable or story form. They were the building blocks of my life actually. They demonstrated love, sacrifice, perseverance, compassion, ingenuity, faith in all they did. Whatever obstacles we faced, there was always a time to share, reflect and find solutions to the daily trials and tribulations known as life. Nothing was impossible as long as we had family and family values. One particular instance at age 7 yrs, I stood up to my father because I disagreed with something he said, by standing up and pounding my fist down on the table. My father was a gentle, mild manner person and he responded by asking me, "Do you know who you are speaking to?" Then pointing my finger, while gazing directing up into his face and saying, "Did you or did you not say - WHEN YOU BELIEVE IN SOMETHING, YOU HAVE TO STAND UP FOR YOURSELF NO MATTER WHO OR WHERE IT IS! -- now was that true [with a quiver in my voice] or was that a lie? He quickly had me sit down to finish dinner, I don't remember the exact words or response at that time. I know we finished dinner and life went on as usual. Then when we were suppose to be asleep, I heard my mother and father talking. My mother was upset, she told him, "You better get h...Expand for more