The Most Unforgettable Thing

What is the most unforgettable thing in your life? This was the question posed on the popular Chinese Q&A platform Zhihu, eliciting a wide range of poignant, inspiring and sometimes heartbreaking responses from users.

One story recounted a soldier’s experience paying respects at a cemetery for martyred soldiers during a mission in Tibet. As their convoy passed the cemetery, located at an altitude of over 5,000 meters, they observed a moment of silence and the drivers sounded their horns for three minutes in remembrance of their fallen comrades who sacrificed their lives defending Chinese territory. Though the responders had not known the martyrs personally, they were deeply moved by this solemn tribute.

Another unforgettable story centered on the legendary Chinese sprinter Liu Xiang. Liu is the only athlete to have truly defeated black athletes on the straight track, even setting records that eluded white athletes. Over his illustrious career, Liu participated in 48 world competitions, winning 36 championships, 6 second places and 3 third places. Yet some only remember the two races he withdrew from. His story is a reminder that even the most accomplished among us are not defined solely by our successes or failures, but by the totality of our efforts.

Other stories were more personal in nature. One woman recounted a harrowing experience from her childhood, when at the age of 7 she got lost while out with her uncle. Unbeknownst to them, a human trafficking gang was operating in the area at the time. A massive police search operation was launched, but she was not found until many hours later, having fallen asleep hidden underneath a bread truck. The fear and chaos of those hours left an indelible mark.

Perhaps the most heart-wrenching story was that of a young woman who endured unimaginable abuse at the hands of her father and stepmother after her mother’s untimely death. Beaten, starved and burned with cigarettes, she found solace in her grandmother’s unwavering love and support. Though her father and stepmother tried to drive them apart, her grandmother fought for her, even suing for the girl’s rightful share of her late mother’s betrothal money so she could leave that toxic household and have a chance at a better life through education. In a poignant ritual, each Lunar New Year she burns paper money within a circle drawn on the road, sending it to her mother and grandmother in the afterlife, letting them know she has never returned to her abusers and no one can bully her anymore.

Each of these stories, in its own way, testifies to the incredible resilience of the human spirit. They remind us that while life may present unimaginable challenges, with courage, love and determination, we have the power to shape our own unforgettable stories. In the face of adversity, it is ultimately up to us to decide what defines us.