In this post, seventy-seven-year-old Vera Koo looks back at her life – all the trials and tribulations, combined with wonderful memories – and is grateful. Find out how she achieved a mindset that allows her to be happy.
去年秋天，當我開車前往猶他州為二０二三年世界長青運動會霰彈槍射擊項目接受射靶訓練時，途中感慨良多，充滿 感激。
I am blessed with transportation and the equipment to pursue this sport I took up about two years ago after I retired from Bianchi Cup. I had ammunition in my car, plus ear and eye protection. I enjoy my husband’s blessing to disappear to the practice range for days at a time.
這是多好、多罕見的事！而我並不認為這一切都是天經地義的。
我是華裔美國女性，今年七十七歲；身為移民，成長過程中我其實沒有機會接觸槍支或從事射擊運動。結婚生子後我 相夫教子、照顧公婆，還要幫忙經營家族事業；然後在我步入中年時，在外子顧家一支持下，我走出一條自己的路， 打造出一些屬於我自己的東西。
These are my golden years, and I want to enjoy them while I remain healthy. As Carlos says, we have lived full, rewarding lives and anything beyond this is a bonus at our age. I want to cash in on that bonus. I plan to spend this phase of life pursuing new challenges and goals while cherishing opportunities to travel or gather with family.
我這一代有多少女性能做到這樣的事？尤其是，有多少像我這樣出身於提倡恪守性別角色的東方文化的女性，還能以 以老人之姿射擊霰彈槍？
我很幸運，但我也不是靠運氣或偶然能有今天。我們的人生是我們選擇與如何應對逆境的副產品。
出生在什麼樣的文化或環境中，我們無法選擇；我們的境遇並不總取決於自己；我們可能會遇到我們感覺自己不當得 的困難，而對這些情況時我們的反應，影響我們的人生方向。
我們有時都會受苦，但我們不必永遠背負傷疤；我們固然可以選擇讓自己成為逆境的受害者，更可以選擇掌控自己的 未來。
Thirty years ago, my life hit a crossroads after I experienced a deep personal trauma that shook me to my core, rattled my worldview and threatened to alter my life’s direction. In the weeks and months that followed, I felt like a zombie, just going through the motions, just trying to get by.
Fortunately, I found God during this dark time. I developed my relationship with Jesus Christ after a friend introduced me to Christianity by giving me “Guideposts” to read while I navigated my heartache.
I poured myself into my shooting competitions. I sought help from a therapist. I leaned on my faith.
ZH_TW 
EN 
ZH_CN