By Shu-Chuan Wang-McGrath
Throughout the past 27 years, I have moved back and forth between Taiwan and the United States, pursuing education in the U.S. and a teaching career in Taiwan. Taiwan has always been deeply meaningful to me — it is where my family lives, where my faith community is rooted and where much of my professional identity was established.
When I moved from Taiwan to Cape Girardeau in 2012 to teach at Southeast Missouri State University, I experienced a profound sense of loss. Although I moved to the U.S. in 2011 to marry my best friend and initially lived in St. Louis with him, transitioning to Cape felt isolating. I struggled to let go of my deep connections in Taiwan and questioned my decision to leave. I felt angry and regretful at times, unable to see Cape as home and longing for the community I had left behind. Even as I started a study abroad program to reconnect with Taiwan, the sense of loss lingered.
However, my perspective began to change when life presented unexpected challenges. In 2021, my husband was diagnosed with dementia, which forced me to reevaluate how I approached life in Cape. I prayed for guidance and decided to turn our home into an Airbnb. This not only gave my husband an opportunity to stay active and engaged with others, but it also connected me more deeply to the community. One guest wrote that we were a “staple in the community,” and that simple comment made me realize the importance of focusing on building a life here rather than mourning what I had left behind.
Now, what once felt like a loss has become a gain. I’ve found meaning in connecting with others, creating new opportunities and embracing my role in this community, even as I continue to cherish my roots in Taiwan.
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