書丹與我 Story of Sutan and me

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本文以中英文交替書寫排列

婚姻真是前世就註定好了，我說她嫁給了我,就像一朵鮮花插在牛糞上， 她卻說：「有機肥不是更好嗎？」

I think marriage is destined from the previous life.  I told her with me she is like a rose growing in a manure pit; she said she likes organic fertilizer.   

我一歲就患了小兒麻痺而不良於行，又有嚴重的骨質疏鬆症,骨質密度只有正常人的1/4，自1999年到現在，已經遭受到共13次的大小骨折。連續兩年，每一天都要自己注射一針穩定骨質繼續流失的藥物。50多歲的我，小便已經幾乎失禁，因後小兒麻痺症候群，使我全身多處的肌肉也開始萎縮無力，一天到晚常常跌倒......

I was struck with polio before I learned how to walk.  I’ve always felt that the ground beneath me was uneven.  On top of all of this I deal with severe osteoporosis on a daily basis.  My bone density is only a quarter of what it should be and as a result  I have experienced 13 major and minor bone fractures, since 1999.     I am on a medication that I have to inject myself daily to stabilize this condition.  At 53 years old (in 2012), I suffer urinary incontinence, muscle atrophy and post polio syndrome. As a result, I fall frequently.

如果人生可以"NG"......

或許會令很多人意外地，我會毫不猶疑的選擇「不」，因為如果在重來的人生中，命運之神在我和書丹從邂逅，相知相惜和相愛，直到整個生命交織過程的安排中，一不小心做了千萬分之一的改變，那麼就算我能跑、能跳、能活到一百歲，能擁有郭台銘的財富，甚至擁有了全世界——我的人生也會是黑白的。


If Life Could Be Redone...

It might surprise many people, but without hesitation I would say “NO”.  I don't want to exchange any part of our encounter, falling in love, understanding and cherishing each other for a pair of healthy legs, immortality, or Bill Gates' wealth.   Without her my palette only has black and white.

憶兒時，當鄰居同齡的小孩在嬉戲奔跑時，我總喜歡拿筆塗鴉，但是我的圖畫卻總是醜不拉嘰，記得我五年級時在美術課上還得過全班最差的 「丁」 而被笑，連老師也說我是在鬼畫符，如果連我都能當畫家，那麼有誰不行呢？

When I was young, unlike other kids who could run around and play, I was limited in my activity and chose to draw instead.  However, my drawings were poor.  In grade five, I even got a "Ding”, equivalent to "Fail", for one of my drawings.  If I can grow to become an artist, who cannot?

小時後我最怕的，是看到調皮的小孩子學我走路，和叫我「跛腳」，不全是為自己難過,，是不願見爸媽為此心裡流血。上了國中，學校較遠，我克服先天缺陷學會騎腳踏車上學，但每到上坡路段，較弱的那隻腳，怎麼也踩不動，只能改由僅靠較好的右腳單腳推進，踩了半圈就馬上退回原點再依樣循環，不斷的快速反覆、來回推進，齒輪鏈條間因受到反覆地撞擊而發出了刺耳的 「卡--卡--卡」聲，偶爾也會有調皮的孩子 「卡--卡--卡"」的在我旁邊模仿著，然後突然加速，從我旁邊大笑的一呼而過，我總是將羞辱鎖在內心,繼續我的 「卡--卡--卡」我在心中告訴他：「你的腳雖強，踩的只是單車的踏板 ; 我的腳雖弱，踩的卻是命運的輪盤，只要我不停下來，一樣可以達到成功的終點。」

I was ashamed of myself when some naughty kids were mimicking my funny way of walking or calling me a cripple.  I didn’t want to have my parents share this pain.  In grade seven, the school was much further than my previous school and therefore I taught myself how to ride a bicycle.   With my disability, learning to ride a bike was extremely challenging.  On steep hills my smaller leg was too weak to peddle.  I had to muster all of my strength I had  using only the better leg to peddle one side of the crank back and forth.  As a result, my peddling would make an irritating Ka, Ka, Ka sound.  Every now and then, while I was struggling up a hill some mischievous kids would ride beside me imitating my Ka, Ka, Ka and suddenly zoomed by with mean laughter, which echoed in my ears.  I looked forward, as if nothing had happened.  I locked the humiliation in my heart and carried on my biking without forgetting about the mocking I received.  A voice in my head told them "I know you are fast.  Go ahead and laugh but I won't stop.  I will show you even a turtle can get to the finish line.

两歲時就會把妹
My first girl friend

如果你很喜歡讀書，你會選擇在15歲時放棄學業，跑去開路邊攤,當鎖匠嗎？   
我會！   但是... 當時我......比死........ 還難過！  

If you like to go to school, would you, at age 15, give up your education and start working as a locksmith to support the family?  I did.  But, at that time, I wished I was dead. 

我國中時曾是全校最好班級的模範生，無奈家貧，國中畢業就含淚輟學，踩著一輛沒速可變的破舊腳踏車，一大早就來到三峽擺攤配鎖，下午再到鶯歌 「續攤」，晚上也不知靠什麼力量，騎上山鶯路大斜坡再回到桃園。一上床，較好的那隻腳一直抖著、抖著，另一隻則變成暗紫色，奄奄一息，貼在床上。

 In grade eight, I was chosen as the model student amongst the grade. Earning scholarships for every term became routine.  Due to the difficult family financial situation, the tenth day after I finished my grade 9 courses, in tears, I dropped my education and became working as a locksmith to help my Dad support the family. (with the skills I learned in my childhood from my Dad.)  

Every morning, I rode my heavy single-speed clunker to Sanshar. In the afternoon I then rode to Inge, and in the evening I rode back to Tauyung, where we lived.  Three hours of bicycle ride a day may not seem too bad for a regular person, but to me it seemed worse than a marine soldier’s training. When I got home, the "good" leg (both of my legs were affected) was panting as if it had been out of breath and the weak one was stuck on the bed showing no signs of life.   Until this day I still don't know how I managed to make it up that killer hill.  

認識的人都覺得，一個愛讀書，又身患殘疾的小孩，我父母怎捨得讓我這麼小就去開路邊攤當鎖匠呢？但我...自願...選擇...放棄，因為我不忍心見爸媽，被經濟重擔壓得喘不過氣來。但是我告訴自己，只要看重自己，只要夠努力，一樣會成功。

He who knew us would say "Why would my parents let such a boy quit his education and start working at this age?  But, I voluntarily   chose to give up.  I didn't want to see my parents struggle in our then very difficult financial situation.  I told myself, "work hard and look up to myself, one day I will be successful, with or without high education."


15歲的初生之犢，當別人還沉浸於父母的羽翼之下，我無反顧的挑起家庭的擔子，就這樣地結束了我的童年，也開始了我這一生，永不後悔的抉擇。

At age 15, when others are still sheltering under their parents' care, I carried the family burden on my shoulder.  This was the end of my childhood and it began my lifelong never-regret path.


後來，三峽的阿姨捨不得我每天這樣奔波，就讓我借住她家。總算鬆了一口氣，不過生意卻不如預期，在四個月後就轉到了樹林，這裡生意比較好，人口也較多。白天我不斷努力地精研開配鎖匙的技術，到了晚上八點多以後，我常會將高級的牛角章，以僅稍高於木頭章的價錢接下，為的是讓自己多增加雕刻高級印材的機會，因此每晚都工作到凌晨1~2點。

Later on, my aunt, who lived in Sanshar, invited me to stay with them.  This finally ended my days of “military training”.  Business was slow, so four months later I move to Sulin.  It was better due to a larger population.  In the day time, I constantly worked to improve my locksmithing skills and at night I tried to pursue my seal engraving abilities.  I would offer  very cheap prices for some high end horn seals in order to earn more chances to work on more advanced techniques.  I worked till 1-2 o'clock in the morning every day.

為了省下每天通勤往返於桃園和樹林之間的費用和時間，也很感謝房東的同意，在他們的屋外，廁所後面的化糞池上的水泥蓋上方，用了幾根木條和一塊夾板，搭了一頂只能遮雨卻不能擋風的床（連牆都沒有，更別說門，如何擋風？其實有風還好，至少比較不臭。現在的小孩或許光聽到就會說——好噁心！但那時能有個免費的地方睡覺，我就很感恩了！）冬夜裡那雙血液循環極差的腳，在堅硬的夾板上就算睡到天亮，也還是冷冰冰的；夏天時，在狹小的床上稍一翻身，不小心將蚊帳頂開......（當一群住在臭水溝和化糞池的蚊子，碰到一個因工作累到不省人事的小伙子，下場就由您自己想吧！）

To save the time and expanses for travelling between our home and work, with the landlord's agreement, I built a shed behind their outhouse.  In the winter  here wasn't anything to stop the wind. (It did't have walls not to mention a door).  In the summer, it stunk like hell.  To make it worse, sometime when I turned around in that tiny 3'x6' plywood bed and pushed a gap between the mosquito net and the bed......( When a bouncy of mosquitos which hovered in the outhouse and a dirty ditch next to my bed, met a dog-tired boy, You know what happened, don't you? )

17歲時，當時有一種來自芬蘭的機車鎖，打出了廣告 「打得開賞五萬」，我在家自行試開成功多次以後，爸很興奮的陪我去挑戰，很遺憾地我失敗了，當然我現在要打開它是太簡單了，但當時的失敗，卻受了極大的打擊，不過很快地我又站起來，而且更專注於各種鎖具，和萬能鎖匙的研發。

When I was 17, there was a motorcycle lock from Finland offering NT$ 50,000 for people who can pick it.  After a few successful tries at home, excitedly Dad took me to challenge it.  Regretfully, I failed.   Although it seems so easy for me now, at that time I was greatly discouraged. Fortunately it didn't set me back for long.  I refocused and dedicated myself to invent more skeleton keys and lock picking methods. 

多年來，我瓦解了一種又一種的所謂「保證無法破解的專利鎖」，打開了無數的金庫密碼鎖，配了數不清的名車、名鎖。全台都有許多我的學生和徒弟開的店，也都是當地頂尖的師父，連著名的天才 「警官開鎖大師」——謝文苑警官，也慕名前來取經開鎖之道，及各種萬能鎖的應用，他不愧是開鎖奇葩，一點就通舉且一反三，在公務之暇自行練習，並將之傳承於中央警官大學，造福國家令人敬佩。我所研發的，汽車終結者」開車工具，幾乎能打開全世界百分之九十五以上的車輛，專業的教學帶及萬能鎖匙，不僅在台灣，連大陸也有許多山寨版，專利工具「GM終結者」更連我當時在學齡前的孫女都會使用，能輕易瓦解美國汽車界巨人，通用汽車公司最引以為傲的側面檔板鎖，這種自1960年代使用至今的名鎖，如今也黯然的被迫淘汰。

In those years I defeated, one after another, so called unpickable patented locks, opened  numerous safes, countless luxury cars and name brand locks.  Many people came to learn from me.  Most of my students and apprentices became the most respectable on their skills in their areas  among them the famous genius high ranking police officer,  Shieh, who deserves his name for being so competent on picking locks and teaching the know hows at the University of Policemen to combat crime.  One set of my vehicle open tools can open  almost 95% of all cars.  Many duplicates of my  tutorials and tools are found in China and Taiwan.  A set of my GM lock picking tool is so easy to use, that even my then preschool granddaughter could use it to open a GM car.

記得在我初到加拿大後，有一次在温哥華閒逛，走進一間很有規模的鎖材批發商，兼鎖匙公司。聊天中剛好有一位客人拿了一個日本原裝，川崎重機車的鎖來配，老板説這很困難，請他兩天後來拿，我請他們讓我試一下，只花了一分鐘，連裏面最資深的師傅，也像是見到天方夜譚一般，眼睛瞪得幾乎跳出來，或許這也可以算是螢火虫版的台灣之光吧！

When I first came to Canada I walked into a big locksmithing and supply shop in Vancouver.  While chatting, a customer walked in with a Kawasaki motorcycle lock to have the keys made.  After finding no information for this lock on the computer the head technician said it was complicated and asked him to come back two days later.  After the customer was gone, I showed him my methods.  In less than one and a half minutes later his jaw almost dropped to his chest.

1997年我接受當時在南台灣，最大的鎖匙大盤商，金角鎖業公司的邀約，在高雄世貿演講，並傳授如何利用簡單的鎖具，破解一些精密鎖種的祕技，心想退休的我，與其埋葬我畢生的鑽研，不如讓它傳承下去吧！當天來自全台各地的鎖匠，將整個會議廳塞爆，連一名工作人員，也被誤認為插隊者，差點被揍！

In 1997, I was invited to give a speech and demonstration on how to use some simple tools to open some complicated locks for professional locksmiths at Kaushong International Trade Centre.  I accepted the invitation; for not wanting my skills to go buried with my retirement.  There were so many locksmiths from all over  Taiwan.  One of the staff  almost got struck because people thought he was budding in a line.

我出版的一本專業鎖匠的工具書「葵花寶典」，解析並破解了全球百分之九十以上的汽車鎖， 我也開發出一種汽機車鎖匙讀取機，只要將讀取板插入鎖孔，就能將鎖齒判讀出來，再由配鎖機複製出，一把與原裝一樣好開的鎖匙，一番天人交戰考慮之後，因恐造成社會安全問題，決定不想開發生產。

My locksmithing book, Quewha Manual, is one of the most comprehensive book for vehicle locks.  I even worked out a device that can read a lock and then cut a key accordingly.  Considering the bad consequences this tool might cause to the society if it becomes accessible to the thieves, I decided not to produce it.

雖只有國中畢業,卻出版三本專業書籍
Although only had an education of grade 9, I published 3 professional locksmithing books.

我的技巧及萬能鎖具，也很不敢當地,為我在業界贏得開鎖之父的謬稱。或許真的是人怕出名，就在前年，很多人或許還有印象，當時在電視及報紙上，喧騰一時的 「樹林萬鎖之家，配鎖老店的萬能鎖匙被偷」的社會新聞，當時竊賊進入後，連抽屜内的錢也不拿，目的只是我特製的開鎖工具。

My name was so well known in Taiwan that even on the media they call me Father of locksmithing. Unfortunately, this resulted in having my shop broken into. The thief took only my tools and didn’t even bother with the money in the drawers.


我是個超完美主義者，在我的字典裡得99分就是不及格，一般的鎖匠，配過的鎖匙常會比原樣本難用一點。我在配鎖時，除了不放過所有相關細節之外，一定會再考量鎖匙的磨損系數，所以配好的鎖匙，反而會比原樣本更精準、更好用。

I am a perfectionist.  In my dictionary 99% means "Failure".  You probably have the experience that key duplicates sometimes don’t work as well as the originals.  Locksmiths never put the wear and tear and the slight deviation caused during duplicating into consideration. On the other hand, I compensate all the possible deviations so my keys work very well if not better than the originals.

我要求所有學生，在將一支鎖匙配好交給客人之時，一定要有一種自信——「這隻鎖匙回去如果不能開，你拿一瓶農藥來，我敢喝下去！」雖然很誇張，也有點像一句玩笑話，卻是勉勵他們對自己的信心和對工作的負責。我現在偶爾回台灣時，有時技癢也會親手配幾支鎖匙，有些不認識我的客人，難免會慣性的問 「回去能開吧？」我會告訴他 ：「如果不能開，你先去買一張樂透彩劵再回來，因為我配的鎖匙不能開的機率比中樂透還低。」配鎖匙在一般人的心目中，只是一個路邊的小行業，不過我都會勉勵我的學生們，「配鎖，是最應受人尊重的行業！當然絕大多數的人是不會當小偷的，但如果他們也一樣能開鎖時，是否還能把持的住呢？」鎖匠們能輕易打開大多數的鎖，非但沒有為非作歹，還知足認真地賺著蠅頭小利，服務社會您說不叫人敬重嗎？

I ask all my apprentices to have the following concept in mind----- “Before  giving a key to your customer you must be so confident that if it doesn’t work, you would drink a cup of weed killer.”  It may sound like a joke or saying, but behind it is my expectation and encouragement for them to build up their confidence and work ethic.  Sometimes when I go back to Taiwan and visit my apprentice’s  shop, I like to cut a few keys just for fun.  If a customer asks “Will it work OK?”,    I reply “if it doesn’t, you should go buy a lottery ticket.”   I am confident that the possibility of this happening  is way less than getting a winning ticket. 

我在爸的手中接手了萬鎖之家,很高興地我和書丹没辱没了它，將它擦拭得成為一塊在台灣刻印配鎖界的金字招牌
 I took over the family business from my Dad’s hands.  Gladly Sutan and I, we made its sign into a symbol of quality in the field.

博學審問慎思明辨必有真知方能力行…..

A poem engraved on barlin stone.

在我精進鎖技的同時，我並沒有放慢對篆刻藝術的追求腳步，我勤習正、草、隸、篆、行書、鐘鼎、石鼓、甲骨等各種字體。 19歲時有感於書畫本是一體兩面，為了加強繪畫能力，我參加了一個短期的身障者職訓課程，向知名愛心畫家柳青松先生學畫，猶如命運之神牽引一般，書丹也在同一天拜他為師，成為我的師妹，到如今我自己都還搞不清楚，到底是我的哪門法寶擄獲了她的芳心，只是在我初次見到這天真無邪的小女孩時，第一眼就知道我永遠無法移開自己的目光了。  （唉！或許那個中人法寶的人反而是我才對吧！）

While working on my locksmithing skills I continued to pursue the art of engraving.  I learned many styles of ancient Chinese characters.  In order to have better artistic concept, at age 19, I went to learn how to paint.  As if guided by the God of fate, Sutan and I enrolled on the same day.  Till  this day I don’t know which magic trick of mine enchanted her to fall in love with me, but at the first sight I knew right away she was the one for me.  My eyes were never able to move away.  (Perhaps I am not the one casting spells.)

我的白雪公主
My Snow White

這天我們隨老師到鼻頭角寫生，我趁著空檔找她到海邊散步，就在我們認識的，第七天零三個小時，邪惡的我，終於向這位只有16歲，毫無涉世經驗的純真女孩，使出了不入流的伎倆，我告訴她 ：「我們走在海邊，我比較容易跌倒，是否可以讓我 (1)牽你的手，還是 (2)摟你的肩呢？」 無邪的書丹想了半天，尷尬地選擇了牽手，多年後我們在回味此事時，丹兒嬌羞的說：「臭宗哥！騙小孩!！」(我總是愛鬧她，才得此「臭」名) 當時有如雪花般清純的她，竟然不知道還可以有第三個選擇——「都不要」 好險！

The class had a field trip to the North East Coast and  I took a chance  and asked her to walk with me on the beach.  Right on the third hour of the seventh day after we met, the evil me started his dirty tricks on this naive girl.  I told her "I might fall over the sandy beach.  Can I   (1) hold your hand    or    (2) put my arm around your shoulders?”  Shyly she chose to hold hands (It was still conservative in those days in Taiwan). Years later, when we were reminiscing this episode she was still embarrassed.  Innocent and pure, like new snow, she didn’t know there was a third choice, "NO".  Lucky me!


隔年我終於在排除萬難之後，牽著書丹那雙，雖柔弱卻堅定的小手走上紅毯。也誠摯的希望在此公開我的把妹密技之後，能夠幫助殘障朋友們，降低一點單身率，和替國家提升一點人口出生率。 (而且保証會上鈎的，都是善良的好女孩！)

Eight months later, after  her parents’ minds  were at ease,  I finally held Sutan's soft yet determined hand and walked down the red carpet.  
I showed my trick on how to chase a girl here.  Hopefully it can help increase the opportunity  of finding the right partners among my fellow physically challenged men.     ( I guarantee you the girls who take the bait are kindhearted ones.)

日前整理照片時,看到這張餓虎撲羊的相片,不禁聯想到美女與野獸,真是一朵鲜花插在牛糞上,夾著人字拖,又穿的像流氓,也搞不懂當初她是看上我那一點. 唉！如果我是她老爸,當别人問我 ---- " 這樣的一對,相配不相配? "    我的答案肯定是------ "呸"

Beauty and Beast

有了書丹的幫忙，我可以更專注的工作，此時我已經將繪畫的技巧加於篆刻之中，山水花鳥和一些龍騰虎紋，也陸續出現在我的雕刻作品裡，在我研習了各種字體的精髓之後，創作出一種屬於自己的馨鼎篆體，它的字形渾厚、沈穩內斂，也就是近年來印章界最夯的「開運吉祥印字體」，到最後各地許多印章店，也都臨摹使用，但卻極少有人能得其中的精髓。也有字型軟體工程師，及電腦刻印機的製造商，甚至大陸都有人來洽談，幾經思考，我還是不希望自己手創的字型，最後淪入呆板的電腦刻印之中。手工的雕刻才是真正的藝術！

With her help, I could focus even more on the work I wanted to do.  Some patterns and even landscapes started appearing on my seals.  After years of painstaking work, as opposed to using ancient styles, I started to create my own font.  It became highly sought after and eventually became one of the industry standards.

太上老君

瑤池金母金印

九天玄女
Seal of Cloud Nine Angle

一般人刻印章每種字體，都只有一個固定的字形，每個姓陳的客人來，這個」陳」字的刻法都相同，其實這是不對的，就如同只做一種尺寸的衣服，要給所有不同身材的人來穿，這樣除了少數剛好合身的人之外，大多數人穿上一定不會好看。反之，我的印章字形則是量身訂做，會因為這枚印章中的其他字的不同，而使得 「陳"」的刻法也不同，也就是所謂的「牽一髮而動全身」。

Seals represent one’s signature in our culture.  Even if you go to a bank in person, if you don’t have the original seal, which you used to open the account, you cannot do anything.  It is not only a highly regarded form of art but also an important article that one can’t go without.

聖華九龍殿

無極皇母金旨

Seal of Mother of Heaven

在往後的數年中，隨著我知名度的增加，很多機構及公司行號的負責人，及社會名流都前來指定要我的印章，許多廟宇神明的金印，更是來自全省各地，非我不行。經由許多藝術章和吉祥印收藏者的介紹，工作如雪花般飛來，我因工作嚴謹，所以無法親自雕刻所有的印章，因此開始對求印者設限，我只雕刻較有挑戰性的工作。

Finally my name in engraving had widely spread and my work was highly recognized in my country.  I won myself the greatest honour to engrave seals for many religious Gods.  Many temples, celebrities, and corporations came to me.  Regardless of the fact that I had many capable assistances by that time, many of the customers only wanted me.  I started to engrave only the ones that I enjoyed doing.  At this time, I was no longer doing locksmithing by myself anymore.

九天玄女娘娘
Another Seal of Cloud Nine Angel 

在二十多年前我刻印鑑的工錢，每個字就要一萬元，一個印章刻下來，往往就要數萬元，曾經有位剛退役的年輕人，省吃簡用，吃了數個月的泡麵存錢，只為了獲得一枚我的作品，他來取印時我得知此事，就將印章送給了他，我怎捨得收下，一位如此喜歡我作品的年輕人，這麼辛苦所存來的錢呢？我很熟的一位作品收藏者，曾對我的篆刻下了一個註解 「一字萬金，萬金難求」我盡全力將所有工作，要求到盡善盡美，永遠謹記爸對我的教誨——「做別人的工作,學自己的功夫」。

The prices of my work were a lot higher than the average prices charged at other places at that time.  A young man liked my work so much that he even ate instant noodles for months trying to save money to buy my work.  I gave him the seal after learning this because I didn’t want a man, who loved my work so much to live on instant noodles.  I am flattered that a major collector of mine once commented on my work “ Pricier than gold, and rarer than gold”.  I always remember what my father told me,  "While doing good jobs for others, you are learning good skills for yourself."

 這些印章只有1. 5公分大
These seals are about the size of a penny

The landscape one consists of two seals printing together

向故宮珍品挑戰
年輕時有一段時間，我迷上了一個，自己將它稱為「向故宮珍品挑戰」的計劃，我決定刻一條像故宮收藏品一樣的象牙鏈條。這項作品是我用一片薄薄的象牙（當年並非保育類），先刻成一條如橡皮筋的圓圈狀，再將它一目一目的刻出來，總共108目，目目活動、環環相扣。很多見過的人，可能是為了鼓勵我，都說比故宮收藏的象牙鏈條刻得更勻稱、更精細，使我愧不敢當。上面原先還有一個墜子，只可惜連接的項圈部分，被我的徒弟弄斷了，因為是一體成型，也無法再加上去，甚憾！

My carving work, out of a thin piece of solid material, all together 108 links. Every link is free of moving. Originally, there were a pendent. To my greatest regret, one of my apprentices broke the link between the chain and the pendant. It was done when I was young. Back then, I was trying to create art work to challenge the national treasure art collections in the Grand Palace Museum.

我也曾用我的篆刻作品，去參加國外的版畫賽，起初只是想我的作品拓本中，也有很多的山水花鳥，這是我將篆刻介紹給國外鑑賞家的一個良機，一開始心裡有點忐忑不安，不知外國人是否懂得欣賞我們的藝術，我就挑了三件不同類型的作品去參選。比賽當局有一項規定，就是每位創作者最多只能送選三件，且不管作品如何傑出，最多每人只能入選兩件。但是值得驕傲的是，他們不僅懂得欣賞，更是喜愛不已，最後他們展出我所有的作品。

I submitted three pieces of my engraving works to enter an FCA Print Show.  I was told before that it doesn’t matter how good one’s works are, no more than two pieces can be accepted.  Happily they were all in the show.

早期時所有的工作，都只靠我們自己，每天工作18～19個小時，全年只有春節休四天，我們的大兒子——涵涵來臨時，感謝媽幫我們帶，但老二嵐嵐出生時，實是雪上加霜，因店裡唯一的助手在此時離開了，在正要送書丹去婦產科時，我跌倒斷了小腿，書丹只休息了一天就得出來幫忙，哪顧得了做月子不能吹風碰水，我每天晚上一躺入浴缸，就馬上昏睡過去，都是由她幫我洗澡穿衣，也因如此，我在日後蓋房子時，第一件要的東西就是按摩浴缸。老三翎翎來時，我們已經有很多位的助手和學生了，媽改帶小的把老大送回來，所幸我們三位可愛的小天使，都乖巧懂事又容易帶，否則以我們當時的狀況，根本是「不可能的任務！」

During the early stage of our marriage,  we worked 18-19 hours a day, 7 days a week except for a 4-day off for Chinese New Year.
All three of our children were wonderful.  They were sweet and well-behaved.  Otherwise, this would have been, "mission impossible".

瘋人院
A make me up game  

在我33歲那年，雖然我已經有很多傑出的助手，但是多數的客人還是希望我能親手為他們服務，因長期處於極大的工作壓力之下，我毅然地選擇移居加拿大，雖然經營小本生意，不像别的大老闆一樣，有著雄厚的資産做為移民的後盾，但是從小就過慣儉樸生活的我們，反而覺得粗茶淡飯更習慣、更健康。從此我也能專心地為興趣而創作。

At age 33 and at the peak of my profession, although I had many outstanding assistants already,  many customers still wanted me to perform the work personally.  Being under tremendous pressure for so long, I decided to retire and move to Canada.  From then on I could enjoy pursuing my hobbies and interests and not have to worry about the pressure of work.

我的移民之路也非常順遂，在紐約面談時，想不到移民官竟極讚許我那國中程度，再外加一點臨時抱佛腳的英文，而譴走了翻譯人員，整個過程中，移民官在快速的審核了我們的文件後，反而花大多數的時間在欣賞我帶去的篆刻作品集。

My immigration application went very well.  The officer went through my paper work in no time.  Actually he spent more time enjoying my work album. 

到加拿大後的第一場雪
Our first snow in Canada

來到加拿大短暫的安頓之後，孩子們開始進入當地學校，書丹也拿了英文的會話課程，我則初生之犢不畏虎似地，直接拿正規的成人高中課程，雖然苦一點但既可學會話，又有正規的學歷，更能將聽、說、讀、寫一次搞定！至此我又終於可以再一次，走入年少時愛讀書的夢了。

After settling down, the kids went to grade school, Sutan took ESL class, and I decided to skip ESL and jumped directly into high school courses.  It was difficult but I could finally continue my childhood dream of pursuing my education.  It felt good to become a full time student again.


兩年半很快的過去，書丹完成了大半的成人高中課程，我則像瘋狗似的，跳級完成了高中和大專課程，在將我的工作經驗，折抵成部分學分後，只要再36個學分，我就能擁有企管碩士的學位。然而，這時的我卻突然覺得夠了，就算拿到博士學位又如何？如果為了生活所需的英語，我那時的語文能力就算要上法庭與法官辯駁應也夠了，於是我決定再次放下書本，但是在那之前，我一定要再將國貿的 「市場管理學」再拿一次，因為在那兩年多的日子裡，我所有的學科都得A，至少也有A-，只有這一科我拿了個B+，如果留它下來，我想這輩子都將會有如芒刺在背的感覺，最後我用了一個 "A+" 來盡雪前恥，不過或許會令人不解，我竟然沒有到學校，申請重發一份拿到全A後的成績單，其實我在意的根本不是那張記註著所有學科，都得到 "A" 的單子，而是我心中這一張追求完美，自我要求的成績單。

Two and half years passed.  Sutan finished most of her adult education courses.  I finished not only my high school equivalency courses but completed a college diploma in marketing and some other courses as well.  With my previous experience of owning my own business, I was giving credits towards my MBA and only needed an additional 36 credits to get an MBA degree.  Surprisingly, I decided to not complete my MBA.  However, before I quit, I wanted to (or more correctly, MUST) take Marketing Management course again.  In those two and a half years I scored, mostly A's,  except for this one course which I received a B+.  If I let this pass, it would be like a thorn in my eye for the rest of my life.  I avenged myself with an A+.  Surprisingly I didn’t go to the school to have the updated transcript issued. I didn’t do it for the physical report card, but rather the one in my heart.

如今小孩們都長大成人了，云涵在溫哥華從事地產經紀，是個頂尖的仲介，做事和我一樣，是位不折不扣的拼命三郎，讀高中時，日語成績都是跳級，英文成績更在全校，同學年學生中排行第三，將大多母語是英文的加拿大同學，遠遠的抛在後面，畢業時並獲得提早保送名校UBC大學。某次一位香港主持人，約他上一個廣東話的訪談節目，流利的廣東話讓人誤以為他是來自香港。他在移民後，為了要快速的精進語文能力，就算和其他的台灣同學一起，也只用英文交談，直到畢業後有些同學來我家玩才知道他會中文，也正因如此，他精通四~五種語言，這也成為他在加拿大這個多元社會裡的一大助力。他有一個超棒的女兒，從小就展露了演講和寫作的才華，四歲時參加說故事比賽就以最小的年紀，打敗了許多七、八歲的小朋友而拿到第一名。八歲就敢自己搭飛機，從台灣來加拿大，我怎麼好像看到了她爸爸和我自己的影子？

 Now the kids are all grown up.  Albert is a very hard working realtor. He is so gifted with languages that in high school he skip grade for Japanese courses, and is fluent with four other languages.  After we moved to Canada, in order to improve his English, he never spoke Mandarin with other Chinese schoolmates.  He was in a radio interview and his Cantonese was so fluent that people actually thought he was from Hong Kong.  He had s great daughter, Angelina, who is very talented with writing and giving speeches. At 4 and as the youngest, she attended this story telling contest and won the first place, leaving all the other 7 and 8 year olds behind and from then on she has entered many speech contests and doesn't know what the second place feels like.  She is so independent and adventurous that since 8 she has been travelling by herself between Canada and Taiwan every year.  Somehow I see myself and my son in her. 

兒子和孫女

My son, Albert and granddaughter, Angelina 

老二曉嵐和我更是同一副模子印的，連個性也一模一樣，既浪漫又有正義感，她有過人的運動精神和毅力，訓練時就算在嚴寒的風雪中也毫不懈怠，真令我不捨.。她參加三鐵、喜歡攀岩、游泳、腳踏車和競走等，高中時更是競走國家代表隊的一員，經常到各省及美國等地為國爭光，有一次她回到台灣，我們在省民公園散步，看到一群人正在攀岩，她一時技癢也想攀爬，我也不知她的程度到底算怎樣，就請教練多加關照她，想不到在牛刀小試之後，教練竟然說 ：「她比我還強呢！」她的個性既然像我一樣，當然也是拼命一族，能力強到令外國老闆激賞不已，每天都在公司把自己累垮才回家。兩年內由一位建教合作的工讀生升為經理，一年多後又再升為整個公司的總經理，洋人老闆也是愛烏及屋，每次一提到我們台灣人，都豎起大拇指。她很幸運，所嫁的白人老公，把她當成掌上明珠，令書丹與我倍感欣慰！

Sharon is exactly a chip off me.  She is romantic, humorous, mischievous, hard working and determined.  In our dictionary, there is no such word as give-up.  We like to finish jobs beyond expectations. We were born with a mouth as sharp as a knife and a heart as soft as jelly. We are stubborn in many cases but we reflect on ourselves afterwards.  She is like a winged horse, hard to rein but once you know how, you can ride it in the skies.  She is very sport minded and with a big heart.  She even raised money for charities on her own wedding. She works so hard at work. It makes my heart break every time I see her come home late and ate nothing for the day.   Alex, her husband,  is very intelligent, sweet, caring, thoughtful and most importantly loves Sharon as much as we do.   

老二曾是野貓隊草上曲棍球隊的一員猛將

Sharon was a tough member of Wildcat field hockey team.

小女兒云翎則是三人之中，唯一傳承有我和書丹的藝術細胞的一位，她畢業於極負盛名的艾美莉卡藝術大學，雖然不大，卻是一所超難進去的學校，錄取率約只有百分之三～五，比台大更難進去呢！她在讀小學時，就展露了藝術的天份，作品曾多次在鹿湖美術館和教育局展覽，她同時也具備有書丹的細心和體貼，隨時都替别人著想，有一次她回台灣，我和一位從小就很疼他們三兄妹的愛徒，帶她去三峽祖師廟玩，當我要替他們照相時，云翎稍微半蹲著腳，在我重覆兩三次要她站直後，她說：「你只要照上半身就好了呀！」這時我才恍然大悟，原來她在穿上高跟鞋後，幾乎和這位哥哥一樣高，貼心的她這樣做，是為了讓哥哥日後在照片中，更顯得高大威武，真是有其母必有其女.......  她的老公是一位電腦專家，耐心、博學多聞又顧家，真是很有福氣的一對。她己是两個孩子的媽媽，两個小不點都很可愛，每次我們一離開她家，書丹就又開始想他們了。

Lyn is the only child that shares our artistic interest.  She graduated from Emily carr University of Art and Design. Her work were displayed at Deer Lake museum and Burnaby school board for many times when she was in grade school and high school.  She has Sutan's sweetness and thoughtfulness.  Years ago when visiting Taiwan, we went on a trip with one of my apprentices who was very close to my children.  While I was taking a photo for them, she didm't stand straight but had her knees slightly bent.  After I repeatedly asked her to stand properly, she said "Please take only the upper part of our bodies."  I suddenly realized that with high heels on, she was almost as tall as him and  she wanted him to appeal tall and handsome in the photo. like mother like daughter, What a pair of sweet angels!  her husband is a programer and my personal computer specialist.  He is a very patient and knowledgeable man who puts his family above himself.  They are now happy parents of two little cuties.  As soon as we leave their house, Sutan start to miss them.

小女兒云翎
Lyn, the youngest

云翎讀小學時就展露了藝術天份，作品曾多次在鹿湖美術館和教育局展出。這幅夕照美景是她讀中學時送給我的生日禮物

This painting is a birthday present for me from Lyn when she was at high school. 

我家的三大美女

Three beauties 

在我們盡享人間天倫時,噩運卻找上了我，1999年，40歲的我在半年內相繼斷了左大腿骨和左手腕骨，經過檢測才發現我患有極重度的骨質疏鬆症，加上我又很容易跌倒，連樂觀的丹兒雖然表面上安慰著我要放寬心，私底下卻也偷偷地長出了些許的白髮。

While we were enjoying the best life, one can only dream of, I experienced a shocking nightmare.  In 1999, at 40, I broke my femur and wrist within six months of each other.  The doctor found out I had severe osteoporosis.  To make matters worse, I fall all the time.  My happy bird, Sutan, kept trying to console me  and would put on a brave face. However, I spotted some grey hair sneaking out.

在2002年，孩子們都已相繼成人，我和書丹決定搬離煩雜的城市，於是我在溫哥華近郊風景秀麗的皮特草原上，用滿滿的愛蓋了我們的家園送給愛妻，書丹。

In 2002, since the kids were all grown up, Sutan and I decided to move away from the city.  We found a beautiful property in Pitt Meadows, a rural area 30 minutes away from Vancouver.  With all my love, I built this house for my beloved wife.  
I call it --- Sutan of Crystal Dew.

加拿大的建材和工資貴得嚇人，工錢一天要一萬元台幣左右，我怕遭到偷工減料，又想將最好的獻給愛妻，且受限於有限的預算，最後我決定自己親自來蓋。我鑽研了當地的建築法規，讀了一大疊的土木工程書籍，畫了80多張的設計藍圖，看了一大堆的施工教學帶，又花了五年多的時間親手一磚一瓦的完成了這項工程。這段期間內因為工程上的攀上爬下，我又經歷了9次的大小骨折，書丹雖不捨卻也無法阻止我的決心，完成後我將這座莊園取名 「書丹白露」也用她來做為我們三十多年來始終不渝的愛情做見證。（建造書丹白露的故事，請看我的另一篇——書丹白露的文章，或是我的自傳——《追光勇士》）

It’s expensive to build a house. Especially I wanted to  give her the best I could afford.  Due to the limited budget, I decided to build it by myself.  I studied architectural books, construction books and Dvds.   We had chosen the furniture first and planned the architectural design accordingly, so by the time we filled in the interior we would have no regrets.  In five years, with mostly my own hands, nail after nail and brick after brick, along with 9 bone  fractures, I finally completed my dream home.  Sutan of Crystal Dew is my way of showing the eternal love for her.

脚骨斷了上石膏，第二天還是由朋友抬到工地，

就算要用爬的，也無法阻止我繼續工作的意志
The second day after I broke my leg, my friends carried me to the construction site.  Even if I had to crawl, nothing could stop me from continuing my work.

隨著工程的結束，我提起了年輕時為了生活不得不放下的畫筆，我的想像畫作品<書丹灣的夕陽>在加勒伯廸的年度畫展上,在九十多位會員畫家的票選中得到七十幾票脫穎而出,所有的報紙,海報和邀請函都是以它為封面. 正當我要將將全副的心力用於加強繪畫的各種理論和實際技巧,而更上一層樓的時候,很不幸的,我的父親被診斷出肺癌,才畫了兩個多月的畫,又再一次的被我擱下,我和書丹拋下了加拿大的一切回到台灣陪他老人家度過人生的最後一程.

After I finished the house,  I picked up my painting brushes, which I had put aside during my career as an engraver and locksmith.  My first painting, "Sunset over Sutan Bay", was chosen by the member artists to be the showcase piece. It was printed on all the advertisements, invitations, posters, and newspaper for the Garibaldi Art Club annual show.  While I was greatly encouraged and was hoping to spent more time in improving and pushing my painting skills farther, unfortunately, my Dad was diagnosed for lung cancer, I had to drop the brushes which I picked again for only two months.  We dropped everything and went back to Taiwan to spent the last stage of his lifetime with him.

書丹灣的夕陽
Sunset over Sutan Bay

排排站

Line-Up

父親過世後，我順利通過審核加入了北美兩大最知名的藝術家協會之一的加拿大藝術家聨盟。我設下了在一百天內畫一百幅作品的計畫，一些朋友由起初的懷疑到最後變成天天等不及的要看明天的畫，再一次地我用毅力證明了自己，也精進了自己。

我的作品在一年內入選8次全國比賽，奇蹟式的破紀錄在一年之內，贏得申請為聯盟的高等會員資格。2012年聯盟在北美舉辦的年度秋季沙龍展，我用一幅自學後第三幅的作品 <排排站>，在無數來自全加拿大的畫作中贏得傑出作品奬，同年2月，我直接提出聯盟中金字塔頂，屬當代大師級的資深簽名畫家申請，為了宣揚我們的中華文化藝術，我捨棄油畫而用篆刻的作品參選，心想若有幸能通過時，將可與許多我所景仰的當代世界級大師，如美國的油畫家協會現任會長----Neil Patterson以及人像大師Clement Kwan等人平起平坐，共同在一些FCA所舉辦的國家級和世界級的大賽中當評審，除此，在我心中還有一個更大的夢——篆刻是全世界佔五分之一人口的中國人一項流傳數千年的藝術，但卻未受到世界藝壇的太大注目，篆刻成就了我，而我對它也有著强烈的使命感，希望有一天也可以讓篆刻站上世界的大舞台上，為我們華人爭光。

,After Dad passed away, I applied for and was accepted as an active member of the FCA (Federation of Canadian Artist).  In order to improve myself, I set a goal to paint 100 pieces in 100 days.  Some friends began with doubts in their minds, yet ended with the urge to see what painting was going to be for tomorrow.  Again, thanks to my determination I was able to prove to them and myself I could do it and at the same time improve my skills as an artist.
In 2011, my works were accepted in 8 FCA shows.  It was very exciting that in only 12 months, I reached the FCA 's requirement of being qualified to apply for signature member status. In 2012, my work, "Line-up", which was the third piece I did in my painting career, won an Award of Excellence at the FCA Fall Salon competition.  Feb. 2012, I decided to apply for the SFCA status with my Seal Engraving works, hoping to introduce this traditional Chinese art to the western world.  Chinese, represent one fifth of the World’s population.  However, seal engraving, which has been around for thousands of years, doesn't receive enough attention and recognition in the Western World.  Seal engraving has helped make me who I am today, and I feel bound with the responsibility to show it to the world.

瑤池金母金印

Godess of Yiau Pond

結果天不從人願，雖然評審會上，與會的評委們都很喜歡我的作品，但在深思熟慮和集體討論之下，因為無人對篆刻有足夠的知識來做出公正的評判，大會決定退還我的申請費用。為此，首席評委和三位評審也書面回覆，信中誠摯的表達他們明知送件的是一流的作品，卻無法評判的遺憾。其中一位評委更指出，這不只是我，更是他們的一大損失，此次雖無法如願，卻得到首席評委再度的書面回覆，將在會議中討論，甚至不排除改變法規，因現行制度為了防範弊端，評審前所有作品都完全保密，如果及早知道有繪畫之外的作品參加，就能及早因應，也不再有遺珠之憾。我想我這隻小蝦米，多多少少也讓大鯨魚退了一步吧！

Unfortunately, it didn't turn out as I hoped for.  At the FCA Board of Governors meeting, the SFCAs in attendance gave my work positive comments but felt they didn't have  enough knowledge on this type of art to give me a fair judgement, so they refunded my application fee and suggested that I use my paintings instead.

我改以油畫作品再一次提出高等會員的申請，没有意外地，我順利的當選，我的作品正式的受到主流繪畫藝壇的肯定，同時也獲得加拿大畫家的最高榮譽，全世界只有極少數的畫家擁有參賽權的Spilsbury Madel Show大展的殊榮。天呀！終於爬到這裏了，但是我下定决心，若不能也將篆刻藝術推上世界的藝術舞台，絶不罷休！

I used my paintings to apply for the AFCA status again, and excitedly I was accepted this time.  I also have the chance to enter for the Spilsbury Medel Show and qualified for becoming a jury for shows.  Thank you God! I am finally here.

幾天以後，我的作品<叢林果汁>又在加拿大 2013年，全國靜物展得到第二名，雖然得來不易但我只高興了一天，就如我的白人親家母所言：「我是不會妥協於第二名的人」，對我來說在一人之下和在萬人之下又有何兩樣？同年的秋天，我的另一幅畫<燭光之夜>，又在全國秋季沙龍大展中，連續两年的得到傑出作品奬。雖覺慶幸，但考慮到我的病和有限的時間，從此我每天三點多就起床作畫直到深夜，時間對我來說太寶貴了！就在此時，當我在畫<吉星高照>時，我發現了一項色彩轉換中的奧妙，從此我在用色上，更加揮灑自如，這幅畫絕對不會是我最好或是最喜歡的畫，但絕對是我此生最重要的畫之一。

A few days later my work, "Jungle Juice" won the second place award for the Still Life Show.  I was so excited but this lasted only for one day.   I don't settle for second place.  There was still a long long long road ahead of me.  Three months later my work "Candlelit Evening" won the Award of Excellence in the Autumn Salon Show again. From then on I worked even harder.  I started painting at around 3:00 AM every day till late in the night because I didn’t know how much time I have left to paint before Alzheimer and muscle atrophy came to haunt me.   During this time I also found a secret about colour placement and this has helped me a lot.

叢林果汁

Jungle Juice

我和書丹曾一起學了三個多月的油畫，她最愛我作畫，也是我創作的泉源，我會珍惜有限的時間，更加努力讓她高興。除此之外，其實我還欠已故總統經國先生一個承諾，在1978年時他曾來參訪柳青松老師的愛心畫室，當時經國先生在所有學員中，只和我握手，對我的作品特別的嘉許，並問我有何志向，我當場告訴他老人家：「有一天我也要學老師一樣，教殘障者作畫。」如今雖不知時間是否允許，不過....只要我...... (唉！愈來愈不像我了！)（註：我終於在2018年3月，實現了這個諾言。）

Sutan is the source of my creativity.  She loves seeing me paint.  In my limited time, I will do my best to make her happy.  In fact, I still owe the late president of Taiwan, Mr. Chiang Ching-Kuose, a promise.  I learned how to paint from Mr. Liu Ching Song, a famous artist who has a great heart and voluntarily gives free lessons to  handicapped individuals.  In 1978, while in power, the president visited our painting class.  Among all of the students, he liked my work the most and only shook hands with me.  He asked me what I wanted to do in the future.  Without thinking, I told him I wanted to be like my teacher and teach handicapped people.  I don’t know if I still have enough time, but...as long as I ... (Gee whiz! I am getting not like myself.)

至今仍清晰的記得,那親切如鄰居爺爺般的一代偉人，

您的手好温暖，在我失智前，我會實現對您的承諾

Till this day, I still remember clearly this neighbour grandpa like giant.  His kind smile makes me strong, and his cordial handshake  makes my heart warm.

我有幸住在北美，這裡有很多的機會，欣賞到像莫內和梵谷等天王級的大師作品，我們聯盟中的塔頂，也皆是當代的大師，彼此常有機會切磋交流。我對比我強的人會非常尊敬，並盡力學習，比我弱者則會盡量幫忙和協助，但是碰上與我勢均力敵的人則是拼死也要和他一較長短，不是為了想超越他，而是這樣我才可以勉勵自己更加的努力。

I am so lucky to live in Canada and have the opportunity to see many old and modern masters' works.  I highly admire and respect people who are better than me.  As for people who are not, I like to help them, if I can.  However, for the ones that are about at the same level as me, I enjoy competing and growing with them.  I love the FCA.  It provides me a wonderful opportunity to learn and grow.  I am a born fighter.  With my Ka, Ka ,Ka spirit, I climb over any mountains that lie in my way.  Thinking of this, my heart starts to pump faster............Almost forgetting about my uncertain future.

這裡對我真是再適合也不過了, 在聯盟2000多位來自北美及世界各地的藝術家中共分四級——初級贊助會員、積極會員、再來是為數極少的高級會員，和在金字塔頂端的當代大師級資深簽名會員。對我來說，還有甚麼事能夠比可以過關斬將，一步一步向上爬升的感覺更好呢？帶著上天賦予我的那雖然慢，卻不需加油且永不停止的 「卡--卡--卡」，哪座山擋了我，我就爬那座山！哪條水阻了我，我就涉哪條水！想到這裡，熱血又沸騰了起來，幾乎忘了我那不確定的未來。

書丹的藝術天份其實高我甚多，我常說「她才是畫家，我只是個畫匠」，她對作畫和配色都有著天生的敏銳，而我靠的只是後天的努力，令我婉惜的是平淡的她，只想站在我的身旁，看著我、守著我，當我的小嘍囉就心滿意足了！她並不想積極的作畫，不過也還好是如此，否則我豈不就要和她拼死拼活，一決高下了，哈哈！她放棄年少時作畫的夢，只為讓我無後顧之憂，做我想做的事，我好希望、好希望她也能重拾畫筆喔！

Sutan is in fact a lot more talented than I am.  I often say she is the real artist, and I am just a technician.  I work hard for it, but she was born with it.  Yet, all she wants is an ordinary life, standing behind me, looking after me, and being there for me.  It is a pity she isn't motivated to paint.  Perhaps it is a good thing.  Otherwise I might  want to compete with her all the time. Ha Ha!  She gave up her teen-age dream on painting only to give me opportunities to pursue what I wanted to do.  I really hope she can start painting again.

2014 年我的作品<水果龍船>第一次為我入選 2014 年度世界寫實大賽，三年多來我的作品總算是首度獲得世界級的肯定，這一年真是我豐收的一年，我的另外三幅作品同時全部入選Spilsbury Medal Show，這真是最高榮譽中的最高榮譽了，同年 Holland America的遊輪執行長，在船上專訪我並在遊輪上展覽我的作品。

In 2014, My work, Fruit Dragon Boat, was accepted in the Annual International Representational Show.  This was the first time my work was recognized internationally. Later on, to my greatest honour, all three of my works were all accepted in the Spilsbury Medal Show, which meant all of my works were on a respectable level.  In October, the cruise director, Mr. Rick Barnes, of Holland America's cruise ship, Ms. Staterdam, interviewed me and showcased my works on the ship.  

2015年我的作品<大吉大利>再次為我在全國秋季沙龍大展，奪得第二名，這也是我四年多的繪畫生涯中，第四次在全國比賽中得獎。幾天以後好消息再度傳來，我的作品<青葡萄與小蕃茄>入圍了2015 年度世界寫實大賽，在創作此畫時，我更在摸索中領悟出了一項從此將改變我的畫，並能使之更上一層樓的訣竅，我自己將它取名「追光」（我喜歡亂取名，哈！)，這幅畫得獎與否，似乎已沒那麼重要了，因為我已經給自己頒一個獎了，（世界性的大賽果然是人才濟濟，這幅畫後來還真的無法擠進前三名，也失望不已，還說得將與否不重要，好一個口是心非的傢伙，哈哈！）（後來我也將這幅畫改名<追光>，來感謝它對我的啟發。）

2015, my work, Auspiciousness, won the Second place award in the FCA Autumn Salon show. This is my fourth award on an national base in four years.  A while later a good news came again.  my work, Grapes and Cherry Tomatoes, was accepted in the International Representational show again.  While working on this piece, I discovered a new technic in painting lights.  I call it "light chasing".  It dramatically changed my painting.  All of a sudden, getting an award with it doesn't seem so important anymore because I have already given myself an award.  

在自學的這幾年來，我一次又一次地發現許多色彩及光影間的奧妙，及使用的技法，也經常發現一些用色上明明顯而易見，但別的畫家卻視而不見的地方，所以我時常警告自己這個不太靈光的腦袋「千萬別忘記，否則不會原諒你！」 我期許自己，希望這些繪畫法門有一天也能出現在教科書裡，哈哈！我也知道這會笑掉大家的大牙啦，唉！管他的，反正我全身都壞光了，做一個夢總還可以吧？

In the last few years, I have found many secrets about lights and colours, I told my confusion little mind "Don't forget them, or I won't forgive you because they are going to be in a text book for the future generations." Haha! I know, but what the heck, most part of my body is already falling apart why not dream when I still can?

我在許多畫裡，藏著有丹丹的名字，讓觀賞者來找以增加賞畫的樂趣，在畫的簽名處，也會加上我的指紋，其內並含有我的DNA，這是一種我鼓勵自己的方式，期許我的畫在後世會有人想要臨摹，屆時即可輕易辨別。也希望有一天人們想看我的畫是要到博物舘裏，對不起，我喜歡用這種做白日夢的方式來替自己打氣，否則在加拿大寒冷的冬夜裡，又哪那麼容易能常常在清晨3點就離開溫暖的被窩，開始繪畫呢？

唉！梵谷留下了八百多幅的畫工是人欣賞，但我這顫抖的手又能再畫多久呢？為什麼老天爺不多給我一點時間呢？我真的、真的好希望可以多留下一些畫，也可以給書丹以及更多的人欣賞的呢！

In many of my paintings, I have Sutan's nick name hidden somewhere in them for the viewers to look for, adding more interest to it while viewing my works.  Where I sign there is also fingerprinted with my DNA in it.  I wish one day people would want to imitate my works and to view my works in a museum.  I like to daydream to deceive myself into this kind of impossible rose garden, otherwise, how can I  pull myself out of the warm bed 3 or 4 o'clock in the morning during cold winter nights?  With this pair of shaky hands who knows how much more time I have left to paint?  I really hope I can create more paintings for Sutan and many more others to view.

我的個展

My solo exhibition

2015年九月，也是我畫畫生涯的第四年零十一個月，我在溫哥華為自己舉辦了生涯的首次個展，當然！我將它獻給永恆的摯愛——丹丹兒。畫展的反應超乎想像的好，許多人想買我的畫，更多的人想要向我學畫，其中還有已經教繪畫二十多年的老師，這對我是一大的鼓勵，我還有一個永遠無法實現的希望，但願那位小學五年級時給我美術得「丁」的黃老師，能來看我的畫展，我想他會以我為榮的。

September 2015, the eleventh month of the fourth year after I started painting, I had my first solo exhibition in Vancouver, dedicating it to my beloved Sutan.  It turned out to be a great success with many people wanting to buy my works and many other more hoping to take my lessons, among them an art teacher who had already given lessons for more than 20 years.  That was very encouraging for an artist who had painted for less than five years.  However, I had a unfulfillable dream, the art teacher who failed my drawing could come to my exhibition.  I was sure he would have been proud of me.

在此同時，我也首次加入加西台灣藝術家協會，協會聯展的檔期正好在我個展之後，我的畫正巧是掛在一個較暗的牆面，我的畫風是16-17世紀的古典畫法，背景顏色通常比較深，它的優點是主題明卻，沈穩耐看，缺點則是，在照明光線不足時則較沉悶，看到原本躍之欲出的顏色突然失去，我不禁陷入長思......

In the meantime, I joined the West Canada Taiwanese art association.  The group show was right after my solo, and my paintings were hung in a darker spot.  My paintings are classic style which has a darker overall value scheme with the benefit of a stronger value contrast.  However, if it is not well lit the vibrancy of colours suffers.  Seeing all the intense colours fade I started to drift in deep thoughts...

我整夜沒睡一心要找出破解之道，破曉時分室內一片昏暗，突然間我泛紅的雙眼為之一亮，我看到那幅用「追光法」完成的畫，竟在黑暗中放出光芒，我不禁放聲大哭，哭得好傷心，不！那是喜悅！原來我的「追光劍法」竟可以破解幾百年來，古典畫法在光線不足時產生的缺點，天呀！我真的做到了嗎？

That night I didn't go to bed.  Actually I couldn't because my mind was on its full throttle trying to figure out the reasons and solutions for it.  At dawn, the room was still dark, but suddenly, my eyes, which were all red from not having a rest, shone with sparks.  I saw the piece which I painted with my newly invented "light chasing" technique shine in the dim surrounding.  I was weeping and crying with sorrow.   No, that was joy!  My "light chasing" technique ended to be the solution for classic paintings' hundreds-of-year-old  problem when displayed under dim light.  Oh! My God!  Did I really do it?

含著淚，我再一次厚顏地，告訴自己：「天將降大任于斯人也，必先苦其心志，勞其筋骨，餓其體膚，空乏其身......」

我對著窗外發瘋似的喊著：「嚴榮宗！雖靠自學，讓你自己開天闢地 吧！.............」

With tears all over, I once again told myself, no pain no gain.  I yelled loudly at the dark sky like a mad man.  I screamed to  myself, Louis Yen although self-taught let you be the pioneer of your own painting universe!

2016年3月13日，我生命中好重要的一天，我顫抖著對天長嘯，啊......直到聲嘶力竭，在我繪畫生涯的第五年又五個月，我終於獲選為"SFCA" 也就是加拿大藝術家聯盟，金字塔頂，當代大師的身份，這也是聯盟70多年來第一次將此殊榮頒給一位繪畫才五年的台灣畫家，我成為全國及世界性比賽的指定評審，參加FCA全國比賽，作品終生免審核，我也進入聯盟的管理核心，有權建議並主導聯盟的政策制定，這是我這輩子最高的榮耀，爸爸，您的在天之靈，都看到了嗎？兒子在西方人的世界，用他們最擅長的油畫，虜獲了他們的心，您一定會以我為榮吧！

Mar. 13, 2016, one of the most important days in my lifetime.  I shrieked at the sky until my voice could come out no more.  In the fifth month of the fifth year of my painting career, I received the SFCA status, Senior signature member of Federation of Canadian Artists which is the highest recognition and the most prestigious title among Canadian artists.  I am now a member of jury for all the FCA shows nationally and internationally.  Dad, in heaven, have you seen all this? your son is in western world, using western traditional art, which they are best with, to capture their hearts.  You are so proud of my, aren't you?

點亮一根蠟燭

不勝榮幸地，前些日子加拿大台加文化協會的讀書會，選用了我的故事做為激勵學員的教材。也想借此機會，向世人證明，殘障者不一定也要是弱勢者。生命鬥士們勇敢的面對上天的不公平，努力地接受各種艱困的挑戰，實是擁有超乎常人的毅力和勇氣。

在此，也想向企業主們呼籲，殘障雖會對某些工作造成不便，但只要給予適任的工作，我們會不計代價，全力以赴。只要一個機會、一根釣竿，我們一樣可以發光發熱。請讓我們向您證明…生命鬥士的價值是可以超越缺陷的……

我至今從不知走在平路的感覺是如何，也因此，常人的所謂「坎坷不平」  卻是我的「家常便飯”」，我的一生不斷的築夢，再圓夢 ，ㄧ身的各項技術幾乎全靠自學，我告訴自己做什麼就要像什麼，面對困難時，從不會放棄，遇到挫折時，只會更堅強。雖輸於起跑點，但憑著打不倒的毅力，披荊、斬棘，從騎樓擺攤的鎖匠，到國際性的畫家，充滿汗水，絕無僥倖。

親愛的朋友，人生難免會有不如意，如果您也正在逆境中奮戰，希望我的故事能對您有所幫助。

我自小貧困，身患殘疾，深知其中甘苦，我很樂意免費教殘障朋友，和有天份的孩子們油畫。公益或慈善團體若有需要，我們也可以配合慈善募款，需要者請與我聯絡，在這價值觀扭曲的年代裏，與其抱怨時下的社會黑暗，我選擇…點亮一根蠟燭！

永恆的愛
書丹所有的一切都與我相反， 我凡事都追求完美吹毛求疵，她則是油麻菜籽隨遇而安。剛強的我一輩子用盡辦法都無法改變她的個性，我發瘋生氣時她會像一株小草，不管狂風如何吹襲，只是隨風而偃。

她像陽光、空氣和水一般，很自然地在我周遭，自然到讓我忘了她的存在。但當她不在視線內時，我就會像身處于缺氧的高山幾乎窒息。書丹也如地下的泉源，她在哪我的根就毫不猶豫的竄到哪。她從不會下指導褀，要我該這樣還是那樣做，但是我的枝和葉，卻不知不覺受到她的潛移默化，向陽而生，終至被完全改造。幾十年的唇齒相依，我得到一個解答，就是---柔真的能克剛。

書丹的個性只有在童話故事裡才找的到，她會和我們種的花朵講話，鼓勵它們快快長大，有時不小心折斷了花枝還會內疚地向它們道歉。對人永遠只說窩心和讚美的話，30多年來我從未看過她生氣，也未曾聽過她講人閒話或口出惡言，唯一的一次她所說過，極勉強可算是難聽的話是 「衝什麼碗」(搞什麼名堂)。善良純潔的她，竟也為此而後悔自責了好幾天。

這個來自星星的女孩，到凡塵時行囊中只帶著 「喜」 和「樂」，人間的「怒」與「哀」，在她身上根本不存在，如她知道「怒」為何物，為什麼每當遇到不合理的事情，我氣得半死時，她能毫不生氣且為人找台階下？她將我爸爸當成自己的父親，孝順到讓我這個做兒子的都汗顏，若她知道人間有哀，何以當爸爸過世，我哭得死去活來時，她又能如此沈著冷靜的安慰我？加拿大的油畫原料，貴到讓我厚塗時都心生不捨，我沒賣畫也沒收費教學生，每次買原料時都打亂她當月的預算，但人間的煩惱似乎對她，也不起任何作用。

她對老人家非常的照顧，也很有老人緣，搬到加拿大沒多久，她就和鄰居兩位老太太成為忘年之交（其實她是將她們當成奶奶）。也多虧有她們耐心的的教導，內向的書丹才敢開口說英文。

其中一位老太太已經過世十多年了。直到今日，書丹每隔一小段時間就會做一些餅乾，拿去我們舊家那邊，給她尚在人世，已經90幾歲的丈夫吃。老太太生前在教書丹製做方法時，曾說那是她老公最喜歡的餅乾，貼心的書丹很高興能借自己的手，替死去的好友做出懷念的口味，來安慰他獨居的心靈。

當我們在外面購物時，她都不要我幫忙提東西，因為她說 ：『男人提大包小包的不好看，那是女人的事』，其實她只是希望我能輕鬆的逛街。在家時我從來不洗碗，不會自己洗澡，不知道自己的襪子在哪裡，不會用洗衣機，只需茶來伸手飯來張口， 她唯一的嗜好就是  「寵我！」

Sutan's personality you can only find it in a fairy tale.  She talks to our flowers, welcoming them to the world and genuinely apologizes to them when sometimes accidentally breaks a twig.  She always talks sweetly and  speaks complimentary words to every body.  In thirty some years of our marriage, I have never seen her get angry, or use abusive language.  Once she said "darn" and she blamed herself and regretted for many days.  When we are strolling or shopping, she doesn’t want me to help carry bags.  She says for a man to do that looks awful.  (What an illogical reason!  I think she wants me to relax and enjoy, period.)  At home, I don’t do dishes, don’t bathe myself, don’t know where my socks are, don’t know how to use the washing machine.  She apologizes to me when I miss taking my own pills because she feels that is her duty.  The only thing I have to do is to drink the water she gives and to eat the food she serves.  Her only hobby is to SPOIL me. 

我的記性愈來愈差，根本無法記得她的生日和一些紀念日，往往想起時已經太遲了，她根本不會在乎，因為她覺得自己天天在過生日。她沒有一件名牌衣物或是包包，多次想買給她也都不要，她說：『你是我全世界，獨一無二的名牌包』。慷慨的她可為别人一擲千金而臉不變色，自己的衣服卻一穿就二~三十年，捨不得換新，連襪子也一補再補。她的皮膚較敏感，加拿大乾燥的氣候會過敏，醫師建議使用的較好潤膚産品，根本捨不得買，只用好士多量販店那種便宜又大瓶的，而且每次只用一丁點，我心疼得只好押她去買，回家後還一直說：「對不起花了那麼多錢！」 

My memory is getting worse.  As a result it is almost impossible for me to remember her birthdays and anniversaries, but she doesn't care; according to her, everyday is like an anniversary day to her.  She doesn't have and doesn't want any name brand clothing or bags.  For many times I wanted to buy for her, but she said I was her unique, one of a kind name brand luxurious bag. She is very generous to family and friends, but thrifty to herself.  Many of her clothes are over 30 years old.  She mends her socks again and again not wanting to throw them away.  Sutan seldom puts on make-up or buy any product to pamper herself.  Even if some odd times she does, she goes to Costco to buy inexpensive ones.  She has sensitive skin and needs special products.  It ended that I had to handcuff and take her to the department stores to buy for her.  After coming home she said “sorry I spent so much money.”  Nowadays, I have learned that the best way is not to ask and buy directly for her.

2013年時，我們發生一次車禍，書丹右腿的人工髖關節因而鬆動，也因此她必須要再動一次手術，當時我請教的律師說：「如請他們處理最少應有七到八萬加幣以上的賠償。」，但書丹卻選擇私下以兩萬多元與他們和解，只因她不想與人為了身外之物，走上法庭結下惡緣。若是從前的我一定會硬要她告到底，但現在我卻寧願讓她做她自己。書丹永遠是那麼的樂天知命，對人對事都只看好的一面，記得有一天我們開車前往温哥華，連續4個紅燈我看著前面的車輛通過，自己卻都只差一步而被擋了下來，真是氣得牙癢癢的，書丹卻安慰我説 ：「這樣我們不是可以連續4個綠燈都當第一了嗎？」

She is a content and optimistic happy bird.  Sutan always looks for the bright side of things.  Lately, while on our way to Vancouver, we were stopped by 4 red lights  in a row; the cars before us made it through.  I was very upset by this incident.  She smiled at me and said, "isn’t it wonderful that we have four opportunities in a row to be the first vehicle?" 

心情不好時，書丹是最好的傾訴對象，她懇切地傾聽，有時其實是我自己的問題，她也絕不會當場指正，像是垃圾桶般地讓我將滿腹的牢騷抛入，説完後我的心情自然也就舒暢多了。

When one is in a poor mood, she is the most sympathetic listener.  Sometimes it is actually my own fault, but She never corrects me right on the spot.  She wants me to think of her as a garbage bin and dump all the unpleasant feelings in.  Every time after talking to her I feel much better.

不論對或錯，她支持我所做的任何決定，就算是她所不願意做的事也一樣。在我們搬到加拿大十多年後，我才知道當初她，其實是不想移民離開台灣的。又記得2008年金融海嘯前，我貪心地大量加碼投資，她很罕見地說：「我們可以不要嗎？」 我在事後賠光老本，悔恨不已時，換做别人一定會抱怨，她反而窩心的安慰我說：「有錢就多用，没錢就少花，有什麼關係呢？别難過了。」對這位下凡的天使，叫我能不愛之入骨嗎？

No matter right or wrong she supports all my decisions even for things that she doesn’t like or  doesn’t feel right.  Not until 15 years after the fact, did she tell me that she didn’t want to move away from Taiwan.  Before 2008 financial crisis, I thought the market was good and greedily increased my investment.  Oddly Sutan asked “Can we not?”  Afterwards when I was regretting, instead of blaming, she consoled me with  sweet words. It makes me want to cry.  How can anyone not love this angel?

最近我的肌肉愈來愈無力，使書丹的擔子更重了，都是我太貪心把花園做的太大。歲月以及加拿大的烈日，無情地在她原本吹彈的破的臉上，留下一條條的細紋，叫我好不心疼，但在我眼裡，她永遠是那位16歲時，我初次見面的清純女孩，這些皺紋只會更深深地在我心上，烙下一道道刻骨銘心，永難忘懷的愛。

Recently my muscles are getting weaker and weaker.  Even brushing my teeth is difficult for me.  Sutan has to look after many tasks I used to do.  I should be the one to be blamed on because I was too carried away and made the yard too big. Aging and the vicious  sun have left many wrinkles on her face, but in my eyes she is always the same angelical 16 year old girl who I met decades ago. 

今日的她雖也難逃歲月的痕跡，但那永不褪色，美麗善良的內在，在我眼中卻是更加的光芒耀眼

相識以來我們從沒吵過架，但請不要歸功於我，一個完美主義者，怎可能不吹毛求疵，年輕時的我，既挑剔又暴躁，否則哪來黑張飛的外號？我只是找不到對象罷了，要吵至少總得兩個人才行吧！

三十多年來，除了對她至死不渝的愛之外，我對她的感受卻有多次的轉變。在我們相識後的頭十年裹，我總希望她改掉那不求完美，任何事都OK的個性，第二個十年中，我慢慢的了解(認命或許更貼切)，並接受了她，再下來的十年裡，我轉成珍愛她那甜美又豁達的内涵，如今在這走了一半的第四個十年（2015)，我反而希望自己，能像她一樣與世無爭，不起漣漪。我崇拜她，我尊敬她，怎麼有人可以做到如此的毫無瘕疵呢？

We never have had a quarrel since we met.  But don’t accredit this to me.  How can a perfectionist not be picky and critical.  I simply can’t start an argument, with her.  It takes two to have a fight, doesn’t it?

In the decades of our marriage, except for the everlasting love to her,  I actually went through four different stages.  For the first ten years, I tried to influence her to get rid of her perspective of “good enough", and in the second decade I gradually understood and accepted who she is.  The following ten years, I’ve come to appreciate and love her qualities, and now half way through our forth decade, I wish I could be like her.  I admire and respect her.  How can someone be so flawless?

雙魚座的我，是一個極浪漫的人，走到哪都愛牽著那雙，從認識第七天零三小時至今永遠不變，的溫暖小手。無人私語時我最愛說的是 ：『丹兒，我愛妳』。書丹則從來不會把愛掛在嘴上，但她的舉手投足間，那滿滿的關懷和愛，又豈是言語筆墨所能形容的。我曾問她 “妳是否對我下了蠱毒，否則我怎會愛妳這麼深？” 

「臭宗哥，亂講，我哪有！」她認真地辯護著。

「還強辯！我知道妳一定有的！求求妳…………再下重一點吧！」

A pisces, I am a very romantic man.  It doesn’t matter where we go.  I like to hold her hand, which has never changed a bit since the third hour of the seventh day after we met.  When nobody is around my favourite words are “Tan Tan I love you.” She, on the other hand, never says something like that.  However, the love conveyed through her every move is beyond description.  
I once asked her “Did you cast a voodoo spell on me; otherwise how can I love you so much?”   
“Stinky Jung, I didn’t” , she defended with a flush on the face. 
“I know you did.  I beg you....please.......I need a stronger dosage!” 

在洛基山脈露意絲湖畔

一群韓國少女為我們拍的相片
At Lake Louise

噩運之神，像是妒嫉沉浸在幸福之中的我倆，最近我因急速的記憶衰退，和肌肉萎縮，在榮總檢查的報告出來了，晴天霹靂般地，我同時患有大腦及小腦的萎縮症，必須密切地每三個月接受一次磁震造影的掃描追蹤，就連榮總的名醫也只能無策地要我保持目前的生活方式，直到……直到什麼 ？？？

Satan must be jealous of us.  My memory has been deteriorating rapidly.  The MRI shows I have cerebellum and brain atrophy.  The neurologist wants to monitor me closely.  However, there is not much they can do now, until... until what???

為什麼？為什麼？為什麼？？？我還有好多好多的事要和丹兒一起去做，去看雲、去聽濤、去談心、去包水餃、去傻笑、去 ................

Why? Why? Why?????? There are so many things I want to do with my Tan Tan, to see the clouds, to listen to waves, to share our feelings, to make dumplings, to smile for no reason to ...

這位傻女孩年僅17歲，就不顧家人朋友的反對，決心下嫁給我這個當時一文不名的殘障窮小子，一輩子對我無微不至的照料、穿襪子、繫鞋帶、陪我工作到天明、陪我唱“晚霞滿漁船”、陪我偷吃泡麵、陪我發呆、陪我 ..........................................唉！

她的這份愛，這份勇氣，和對我的這份信心，我這輩子都沒能來得及回報，天啊！我怎能再拖累她！

我非常非常的怕有一天醒來時，再也不認得她了，怎麼辦？

This innocent girl, at age 17, went against her family’s will and married a then poor, handicapped man.  Throughout our marriage, she looks after me down to the very last detail. She gets up to cook for me in the middle of night, when I suddenly feel hungry, ties my shoe laces, works through the nights with me, sings with me, eats instant noodles with me, laughs with me, ...alas!
This love, this courage, and this confidence in me, how can I ever repay her?   Ooh! God, how can I become such a burden for her?
I am so afraid that one day I will wake up and no longer know her.  What am I going to do?

無人時，我每天都對書丹說不下三十次的「丹丹兒，我愛妳。」

每天早上，儘管她還在夢中，對她的第一句話是：「又是美麗的一天，我在丹兒的身旁，很高興地醒來了。」

晚上的最後一句則是「丹兒，我先到夢中等妳哦！」然後再牽著她的小手走入夢鄉。

When nobody is around, I tell her more than thirty times a day, 
“ Tan Tan I love you.”  
The first words I tell her every day is “ Another beautiful day,  happily I woke up by my Tan Tan.” 
The last words of a day is “Tan Tan, I am going to come to you in your dreams” and then with her hand held walking into our dreams. 

在天願作比翼鳥,在地願為連理枝,
天長地久有時盡,此情綿綿無絶期.

Let’s fly in the sky wing to wing.  
Let’s stroll on the ground heart to heart.
If there is a conclusion in the world, there is no end for my love.

丹丹兒，如果有來生，如果妳在一個海邊，如果有一個男孩問妳是要 ——（ 1 ）牽妳的手， 還是（ 2 ）摟妳的肩時，請妳一定、一定要選（ 1 ）哦！

原本盼望可與丹兒共享白頭到老，並在我們相識的，第一百年又七天零3小時的時候，牽著她的手，向這雖有心酸卻有更多甜蜜的人生告別……  

來生換我來---寵你.

Tan Tan, if there is a next life, if you are on a beach, and if a boy asks you  “Can I   (1) hold your hand    or    (2) put my arm around your shoulders?”, You MUST MUST choose (1).

Originally, I wished to live with Sutan for all the days of my life, on the third hour of seventh day of 100th years after we first met, holding her hand again, saying good bye to this though-tough-but-filled-with-sweets life.......... 

In next life it is my turn to spoil you.

我希望在這裡和大家分享我們的故事，也許有一天我不再記得我這坎坷卻美麗的人生時，或許藉由這裡，我可以再一次重拾記憶，想起和丹丹兒的這段永恆的、刻骨銘心的愛......
如果您喜歡我們的故事，也歡迎您分享給更多的朋友。謝謝！ 


書丹與我的完整故事，歡迎參閱我的自傳——《追光勇士》。

I'd like to share our story to everybody here.  Perhaps one day, I will no longer remember this bumpy yet beautiful life.  By visiting here, hopefully I can remember and re-reminisce this everlasting love of Sutan’s and mine.

If you like our story, you are welcome to share it with your friends.  Thank you for visiting.

As the time goes by, I will periodically update our stories.  You are welcome to come back and check on us.

For more of our stories, you can also find them in my biography, The Light Chaser.



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