The life story of Zi-Hua Liu (劉子華), a Filipino Chinese immigrant in Taiwan, unfolds like a delicate painting, gradually revealing vibrant colors. Over thirty years ago, Liu left his homeland with his wife, seeking a better life in Taiwan. Their only son, still young, remained in the Philippines, entrusted to the care of relatives. This hope for a brighter future became the couple’s deepest motivation throughout their journey.
A passion for art amidst challenges
Liu’s gentle and resilient demeanor leaves a lasting impression. He has loved painting since childhood and attended art school, his brushstrokes conveying both his passion for life and his dreams for the future. He recalls the joy of his early years: “I started drawing when I was a child. Whenever I had time, I would draw.” This simple pleasure became a lifelong companion.
However, life’s currents are not always smooth. Years ago, his wife suffered a sudden stroke, plunging their stable life into uncertainty. Coupled with Lius own need for surgery, the couple faced severe financial difficulties and felt isolated in a foreign land. Despair loomed large until Tzu Chi volunteers extended a helping hand, offering warm care and support.
“They never complained, even when his wife was seriously ill. They always quietly looked after each other,” said Tzu Chi volunteer Chiu-Chu Hsiao (蕭秋菊). “We invited them to participate in activities, and they were always willing to come, bringing so much warmth with them.”
Painting a future of hope
The volunteers became like family, helping Liu and his wife rekindle their hope for life. Much of this hope centered on their son. Their greatest wish was for him to join them in Taiwan, allowing their family to reunite and spend their remaining years together. “They hope to see their son live a stable life in Taiwan, and for both of them to grow old here,” a volunteer shared.
Liu poured these emotions and expectations into his artwork. He particularly loves painting vibrant flowers, rich in color and full of vitality—a reflection of the dreams that never faded in his heart. His paintings depict sunshine and rainbows after storms, symbolizing his longing for family reunion and his enduring passion for life.
Art as a testament to resilience
At a Tzu Chi charity art exhibition, Liu had his first opportunity to display his works. Standing in the center of the exhibition hall, the artist, who had held a paintbrush for decades, had eyes sparkling with anticipation. These paintings were a microcosm of his life—unassuming yet profound, ordinary yet captivating. In his works, flowers bloom under the sun, and leaves sway in the breeze. These delicate strokes are not merely artistic expressions but also deeply personal stories. The curve of a petal illustrates his and his wife’s resilience through illness; a bright splash of color conveys his profound desire for family reunion. Every inch of his canvas speaks of his life, his steadfast commitment to love and hope.
Viewers standing before his paintings might not immediately grasp the depth of the struggles behind them, but the quiet strength emanating from these ordinary scenes deeply touched their hearts. The paintings silently narrate how a family leaned on each other through adversity, infusing their lives with color through love. Liu’s art is not only a spiritual outlet but also a promise to his wife and son. Each stroke holds his dream: no matter how difficult life becomes, he will continue to paint a colorful future for his family. In that moment, he was not just an artist on stage, but a father and husband tirelessly pursuing his dreams, and a person full of reverence for life.
A heart that never gives up
Time may bring changes, but it cannot extinguish a heart that never gives up. Liu’s story reminds us that even through the greatest storms, the flowers in our hearts can still bloom, as vibrant as ever.
Translated by Mindy Chen (陳敏理)
