Miracles will only happen to those who dare to believe they exist.

When my mom fell and broke her hip last March, staying in the hospital for treatment, none of us would have expected that she—an octogenarian—would fully recover and return to doing whatever she wanted and needed to do as before. I remember during one of my visits to her then, she said she wanted to take a plane trip once she recovered from the injury. Without a moment’s thought, I categorically promised her even though I could not say for certain whether she would fully recover or not. This December, I took my mom travelling again. It was more than amazing. Althoughshe could only walk a little and needed rests, it was already something we had only dared to hope for before. We attribute this to her strong will and, of course, to a blessing from God.

This time, we visited Wuqi District, a coastal district in the southern part of Taichung City and home to the Port of Taichung. We had found in advance an elegant Airbnb in Dingliaoli—a specific li (neighbourhood) within Wuqi District. It was an entire rental unit offering the perfect balance between seaside tranquillity and city convenience. Mom wanted a place that felt like home: a kitchen clean and convenient for cooking; a cosy dining room where we could sit, eat snacks, sip tea, and chat; a long and comfortable sofa to enjoy watching TV sharing laughter; a well-equipped laundry for washing clothes; and, of course, cosy individual bedroom for everyone to relax and sleep soundly. Happily, the house delivered perfectly.

Besides staying in such a comfortable and stylish place, we planned a few outdoor activities to make the trip realer and more memorable. Due to mom’s limited mobility, we chose places where she could walk slowly, comfortably, and with confidence.

One of these places was the Taichung City Seaport Art Centre, a vibrant spot in Qingshui District. Mom, my brother, and I toured the centre and immediately felt a shared appreciation for art; the feeling was truly amazing. Even though we had allowed plenty of time, mom could only visit a few halls, viewing the artworks seriously yet casually at the same time. We came to feel that art reflects an attitude toward life and offers us another way of seeing and cherishing it. After touring indoors, we strolled outside and found that nature tells its own tale—one we cannot live fully without.

We also visited the Taichung Aquarium, a public aquarium in the city. Described as a “New Standard Aquarium,” it blends architecture, art, technology, and ecology into an immersive journey through aquatic life.

Standing before the countless forms of ocean creatures, we found ourselves suddenly drawn to ponder how life in this universe is formed, much like a philosopher. Mom would gasp in awe whenever she saw something that deeply impressed her. I would burst into laughter—or even a small scream—when encountering something too funny and interesting to have them just existed. My brother, meanwhile, seemed lost in thought, reflecting quietly on life itself. Yes, life is that intriguing and unexplainable.

Eating out was, of course, an integral part of travelling. We enjoyed several lunches and dinners at the Wuqi Outlet, two seafood restaurants (one in Taichung City Centre and one in Wuqi), and Din Tai Fung. We found Taiwan’s cuisine and service consistently impressive and commendable.

The one-week visit to Taichung made mom more energetic than ever; she only complained a little of fatigue. Once again, a miracle had happened to her. She truly deserves to be our role model. We have already planned another trip—to Taipei—late next year. She is eager and determined about this plan, and it is wonderful to see a senior living with such vitality and drive. Nothing is impossible when you dare to exercise your willpower to the fullest.

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