回想起童年與兄弟姊妹相處的點點滴滴，真是說也說不完，滿滿都是回憶。

我記得小時候 ，有一次，二姐對我說：「妳是幸福之星，因為妳同時有哥哥、姐姐、弟弟和妹妹。」我想了一下，真的耶 ，在我們六個兄弟姊妹當中，只有我一個人同時擁有哥哥、兩個姐姐、弟弟和妹妹。

我一直沒有忘記她說的這句話，覺得上帝特別厚待我，給了我豐豐富富的祝福。為此，我心中充滿感恩。在我一生的成長過程中，我和每一位兄弟姊妹都建立了非常親密的關係。

大姐，是我童年中最重要的依靠之一。

因為母親身體常常不好，大我八歲的大姐，幾乎承擔了母親的角色。她非常用心督促我們的課業，也十分重視學業成績。小學時，每次成績單發下來，我最期待的，就是等她從彰化女中回家，然後很得意地把成績拿給她看。她念的高中離我們家開車要三個小時，所以她通常一個月搭火車回家一兩次。

我記得她總是帶著溫暖的笑容看著我的成績單，滿臉喜悅。那種被肯定、被欣賞的感覺，對我產生了很深的影響。

因為父親是鎮長，而大姐也曾讀過同一所學校，且成績優異，所以很多老師都會對我說：「喔，妳就是XXX的妹妹啊！」我因此以她為榮，同時也提醒自己要努力，不要讓她失望。那時她在離家3 小時車程的彰化女中唸高中，每個月回來一次.每次她從彰化回來，總會帶回剛出爐的麵包，那是我最期待的時刻。

到了我高中時期，她更是給了我極大的幫助。她是英文系畢業，教我如何學英文，教我收聽著名的英語廣播節目《空中英語教室》，還帶我們去參加彭蒙惠老師週末在大直舉辦的晚會。我也每個週末跟著她去美國宣教士設立的教會聚會，因為在聚會開始前，會先有英文課。在大姐的影響下，我成了班上的「英文小老師」，英文程度也比班上同學都更突出。

她畢業之後，在大學裡擔任助教，也是我們家第一個開始賺錢的人。那時家裡經濟並不寬裕，她常常用自己的薪水請我們吃飯，也把錢交給父親貼補家用。我至今還記得，她曾帶我們到家附近玫瑰大廈裡昂貴的餐廳吃精緻的餐點。對當時的我們來說，那真是一種奢侈的享受。如今想來，她對家庭的奉獻和犧牲，實在令人敬佩。

我和大姐，大姐夫同時來美國唸研究所。我申請學校時，所有的推薦信都是她在懷孕期間，用打字機一個字一個字仔細幫我打出來的。每次想到這件事，我都十分感動。後來姐夫申請到愛荷華大學，我申請到俄亥俄的大學，一年後，姐夫拿到更優厚的獎學金轉到俄亥俄的凱斯大學攻讀博士，我常常到凱斯去探望他們 ，在6 個手足中，我覺得我和大姐緣分最深厚。

二姐，是啟發我愛上寫作的人。

她小學五年級時，曾到高雄和阿姨住了幾年。每次回來時，總會帶回好幾本日記。她的字寫得很漂亮，也很喜歡寫作。我常常偷偷翻看她的日記，從中了解她的心情和想法，也在不知不覺中培養了自己的寫作能力。而且，大姐和二姐常常借很多世界名著及各樣小説閲讀，我雖是小學，也喜歡拿來看，所以小小年紀就看了許多不是我年紀的書。

我想，我喜歡寫作，有一部分確實是受她影響。

她也很有藝術天分，很喜歡畫畫。我印象最深的一件事，就是她曾畫了一幅畫，把我們四姐妹比作《小婦人》裡的四個角色：大姐像 Meg，溫柔又有責任感；她自己像 Jo，勇敢直率；我像 Beth，善良溫柔；小妹則像 Amy，活潑愛美。當時我真的覺得，我們的個性和書中的人物非常相似。

後來，她到美國結婚。雖然起初生活並不容易，但她仍然把打工賺來的錢寄回家。她鼓勵我出國留學，每次寫信給我，總會在信裡夾上一些美金，幫助我準備托福、學開車、申請學校。她為家裡付出很多，特別是對我幫助更大。現在回想起來，我對她充滿深深的感激。

她也很喜歡旅行，常常說服爸爸帶我們一起出去玩。她尤其喜歡拍照，因此也為我們留下了許多珍貴的相簿。

哥哥帶給我許多童年中快樂的驚喜與回憶。

有一件事我印象特別深刻。有一年我過生日，醒來時心裡想：「真希望有人送我禮物。」結果我伸手往枕頭底下一摸，竟然摸到一本書——《麥克阿瑟傳》。那是哥哥送給我的生日禮物。

他小時候很有生意頭腦，會把家裡的腳踏車和書租給鄰居小孩，而我和堂妹就成了他的「小幫手」，到處替他找客人。

後來我們都進了台灣大學，在校園裡和宿舍裡也常常碰面。我甚至還曾經把自己的一位同學介紹給他當女朋友，雖然最後沒成，但也是一段很有趣的回憶。

他小時候相當調皮。我記得有一次在百貨公司裡，他竟然把手扶梯關掉，害得人在半路卡住，讓爸爸又好氣又好笑。

妹妹，是我最親近的知己。

我比她大三歲，所以從小就特別照顧她。她小時候得到的關注比較少，學業表現也不算太好。出於擔心，我曾經偷偷看她的日記。結果被她發現後，她氣得把桌上的東西全掃到地上，嚇得我半死。

我們之間也有很多生活中的小插曲。那時候，我們都得自己洗衣服和襪子。有時我懶得洗襪子，就會偷偷穿她洗好的襪子；而她總是勤快又有條理，把事情安排得井井有條。每次她發現我偷拿她的襪子，就會氣呼呼地把我臭罵一頓。

我們有許多共同的興趣——都喜歡寫作、編劇和表演。也因為我們同樣是基督徒，在信仰上彼此扶持。從中部搬到台北後，我們一起找教會，在屬靈的道路上彼此陪伴、一起成長。

我來美國之後，每次回台灣都住在她家。我們常常一通電話就聊上好幾個小時，談婚姻、談孩子，也談生活中的種種。

我也在她的婚姻中扮演了一點角色。1990 年，弟弟結婚了，那時妹妹成了我們家唯一還單身的人。她對自己的生活和工作都不太滿意，所以二姐和我邀請她來美國看看。於是她辭了工作，先到洛杉磯，再來芝加哥，和我一起住了大約半年。我替她報名了 Harper College 的一些課程，帶她參加教會活動，也幫她打聽附近適合單身者參加的聚會。大約一個月後，透過我介紹她去的一個單身團契，她認識了後來的丈夫。從兩人第一次見面，到交往、訂婚，我幾乎都參與其中。我也曾邀請她當時的男朋友來家裡吃感恩節晚餐、參加家庭活動，並幫忙籌備他們的婚禮。在某種程度上，我覺得自己也為她的幸福出了一點力。

弟弟是一位沉穩而有思想的人。

我們剛搬到台北時，他還在念幼稚園。有一天，外公來看我們，看見才五歲的他從幼稚園回家後，竟然會自己把衣服整整齊齊地掛好，印象深刻極了。從那以後，外公常常在家族聚會中提起這件事，並誇獎他。

他從小就喜歡讀書，也很有哲學思考。我們常常彼此交換想法、分享心得。他一直都以我是他的三姐為榮，這讓我十分感動。事實上，我有一位大學同學後來成了他的上司，而他還很驕傲地告訴那位同學：「她是我姐姐。」

回首我的一生，我和五位兄弟姊妹之間的情感深厚而珍貴。他們每一位，都在塑造今天的我這件事上，扮演了無可取代的角色。

*********
What early memories do you have of your sibling(s)?

When I look back on my childhood memories of my siblings, there is simply too much to tell—more than I could ever finish recounting.

I remember once my second sister said to me, “You are a blessed star, because you have an older brother, older sisters, a younger brother, and a younger sister.” When I thought about it, it was true—among the six of us, I was the only one who had all of them: an older brother, two older sisters, a younger brother, and a younger sister.

I have never forgotten what she said. I have always felt that God has been especially kind to me, blessing me abundantly. For that, I am deeply grateful—that throughout my life, I have had very close relationships with each of my siblings.

My eldest sister was one of the most important pillars of my childhood.

Because our mother was often unwell, my eldest sister, who is eight years older than I am, practically took on the role of a mother. She closely supervised our studies and placed great importance on academic performance. When I was in elementary school, every time report cards came out, what I looked forward to most was waiting for her to come home from Changhua Girls’ High School so I could proudly show her my grades. Her high school was 3 hours drive from our home and she took train home once or twice a month .

I remember how she would look at my report card with a warm smile, her face lighting up with joy. That sense of being affirmed had a profound impact on me.

Since my father was the town mayor, and my sister had also attended the same school and excelled there, many teachers would say to me, “Oh, you’re Chu Tsui-yu’s younger sister!” I felt proud of her, and at the same time reminded myself to work hard and not disappoint her.

Whenever she came home from out of town, she would bring freshly baked bread, and those moments were what our whole family looked forward to most.

In my high school years , she helped me tremendously. As an English major, she taught me how to learn English, taught me to listen to a famous radio English broadcast ‘English Studio Classroom’, and she also brought us to their weekend activities. I also went with her every weekend to a church run by American missionaries, where we attended English classes before the services. Under her influence, I became the “English helper” in my class, and my English was ahead of everybody in my class.

Later, we both came to the United States to study. When I applied to colleges, all my recommendation letters were typed by her—carefully, one word at a tim e with typewriter while she was pregnant. Whenever I think of that, I am deeply moved.

After graduating, she worked as a teaching assistant at a university and became the first in our family to earn an income. At a time when our family finances were tight, she often used her salary to treat us to meals and also gave money to our father to support the household. I still remember her taking us to eat fancy meal at the expensive restaurants in our neighborhood- Rose Building—it felt like such a luxury back then. Looking back, her dedication and sacrifice for the family are truly admirable.

My second sister was the one who inspired my love for writing.

When she was in fifth grade, she lived in Kaohsiung with our aunt for a few years. Every time she came back, she brought home several diaries. Her handwriting was beautiful, and she loved to write. I often secretly read her diaries, learning about her thoughts and feelings—and unknowingly, developing my own writing skills。

I believe my love for writing is partly because of her.

She was also very artistic and loved to draw. One of my most vivid memories is a drawing she made of the four of us sisters as the characters in Little Women: my eldest sister as Meg, gentle and responsible; herself as Jo, bold and outspoken; me as Beth, kind and soft-hearted; and our youngest sister as Amy, playful and fond of beauty. At the time, I truly felt our personalities closely resembled those characters.

Later, she came to the United States and got married. Life was not easy at first, yet she still sent money home from her part-time work. She encouraged me to study abroad, and in every letter she sent, she would tuck in some U.S. dollars to help me prepare for the TOEFL, learn to drive, and apply to schools. She gave so much to our family, and especially to me. Looking back, I feel immense gratitude toward her.

She also loved traveling and often persuaded our father to take us on trips. She especially enjoyed photography, and because of that, we now have many precious photo albums.

My brother brought me many delightful surprises and memories from childhood.

One memory stands out vividly. On my birthday one year, I woke up thinking, “I hope someone gives me a present.” When I reached under my pillow, I found a book—The Biography of MacArthur. It was a gift from my brother.

As a child, he had a strong entrepreneurial spirit. He would rent out our family’s bicycles and books to neighborhood children, and my cousin and I became his little assistants, helping him find customers.

Later, we both attended National Taiwan University, and we would often see each other on campus and in the dorms. I even introduced one of my classmates to him as a potential girlfriend—though it didn’t work out, it remains a fun memory.

He was quite mischievous as a child. I remember once at a department store, he actually shut down an escalator, leaving people stuck in the middle and it left my father both amused and exasperated.

My younger sister is my closest confidante.

Being three years older, I always felt protective of her. As a child, she did not receive as much attention, and her academic performance was not very strong. Out of concern, I once secretly read her diary. When she found out, she was furious and swept everything off the table, scaring me terribly.

We had many small everyday stories. Back then, we had to wash our own clothes and socks. When I felt lazy, I would secretly wear her clean socks, while she was always diligent and well-organized. Whenever she caught me, she would scold me fiercely.

We shared many interests—we both loved writing, scriptwriting, and acting. As Christians, we also supported each other in faith. After moving from central Taiwan to Taipei, we searched for a church together and walked side by side on our spiritual journey.

After I came to the United States, I stayed at her home whenever I returned to Taiwan. We would talk on the phone for hours, sharing about marriage, children, and life.

Later, I also played a role in her marriage. In 1990 , my younger brother got married. My younger sister became the only one in our family who is single . She was not happy about her life and her career so my second sister and I invited her to come to visit us in U.S.so she quitted her job and came to LA and Chicago staying with me for about half a year . I registered her some classes in Harper college and brought her to church activities, also look into some singles activities in my area . A month later , through a single fellowship that I introduced her , she met her future husband. From their first meeting to engagement, I was involved every step of the way. I invited her at that time boyfriend for Thanksgiving dinner and many family activities , also helped organize her wedding. In a small way, I feel I contributed to her happiness.

My younger brother, on the other hand, is calm and thoughtful.

When we first moved to Taipei, he was still in kindergarten. One day, my grandpa came to visit us and he was deeply impressed to see him , a five years old boy , came home from kindergarten and hang up his clothes neatly by himself. From then on, my grandpa always tell this story and praise him at family gatherings.

He has always loved reading and has a philosophical mind. We often exchanged ideas and thoughts. He has always been proud of me as his third sister, which touches me deeply. In fact , one of my college classmates later became his boss and he told me that he was so proud to tell my classmate that I’m his sister .

Looking back on my life, the bond I share with my five siblings is deep and precious. Each of them has played an irreplaceable role in shaping who I am today.