Shiyu "Chloe" Hua

Dear Hua Shiyu, our “Little Apple,” our Chloe,

Today, your mom and I stand here, overwhelmed with grief yet filled with profound love, to recount your brief but radiant life.

You came into this world on the early morning of January 25, 2011, at Shanghai’s Changning Maternity and Infant Health Hospital. From the moment you were born, you were a gentle and thoughtful child. During the entire pregnancy, you never caused your mom discomfort, growing quietly and healthily in her womb as if you already knew how to take care of her. When we learned you were a girl, our hearts leapt with joy. After three years of marriage, your arrival was the fulfillment of our greatest hope. Your name, Hua Shiyu, was our beautiful wish for you.

Although you experienced mild hypoxia at birth, your first loud cry reassured us of your strength. The moment you were placed in our arms, we knew you were the most precious gift life had ever given us. During your first month, your rosy cheeks and tiny hands brought endless warmth to our lives, earning you the nickname “Little Apple.” From those early days at the care center to your first time in the sun and our first attempts at changing diapers and soothing cries, every little moment of parenthood was filled with joy because of you.

Your journey was one of love and creativity, and painting became the most vivid hallmark of your life. From your early doodles to formal training at Changning Art School, you revealed extraordinary talent step by step. Every time you showed us your artwork and asked us to guess which piece was yours, the mischievous pride on your face made us smile. It wasn’t hard to identify your creations—they always stood out for their unique perspective and precise detail, a reflection of your innate sensitivity to beauty and life.

You were a child full of innocence and playfulness, and one of Daddy’s favorite things was sneaking kisses on your soft, pink cheeks. I’ll never forget that Saturday morning when you were already sleeping in your own room. Quietly, I tiptoed in, hoping to steal a kiss while you were still drowsy. Just as I leaned in, you suddenly turned your head and blew a puff of air at me! I froze for a moment, surprised by the faint oniony smell, but I couldn’t help laughing. Thinking, “What a rare chance,” I kissed you anyway. Your cheeks were as warm and sweet as ever, embodying all the world’s goodness. That moment, like many others, remains one of my most cherished memories.

Another time, I used what we called the “Shanghai trick” to steal kisses. I’d tell you, “Let Daddy ask you a question: if you get it right, I’ll kiss you; if you get it wrong, I’ll still kiss you.” Your little brain worked furiously to figure out the game’s logic, and you’d nod seriously, agreeing to the rules. No matter how you answered, though, I always found a way to kiss your cheeks. Even when you eventually saw through my trick, you would still lean in with a smile, offering those precious moments of closeness. These small memories will stay in my heart forever.

Your painting was more than a hobby—it was a way of expressing life itself. One of your friends once wrote, “We spent countless seasons beside our sketchbooks, bringing worlds to life with our pens. Through our art, we captured beauty and shared our dreams.” Your art was not merely technical but a language, a way for you to communicate with the world. Every stroke and color revealed your unique soul.

In elementary school, you excelled not only as a student but also as a leader, becoming the captain of your class and grade. Art, however, was always your main passion. Whether it was your black-and-white lion portrait or a scenic park sketch, your works frequently received praise from teachers and classmates alike. After moving to the United States, you found even more opportunities to grow as an artist. You participated in an anti-drug awareness competition organized by the Cary Police Department, earning second place and an invitation to the award ceremony. Your creativity and thoughtfulness shone brightly in every piece you created.

One of your most touching works was a portrait you painted for a Malawian boy named Likely during a school-organized activity. Likely, who had never had a photo of himself due to poverty, saw his image for the first time through your art. On the back of the painting, you wrote: “Dear Likely, I send you my best wishes and hope you’ll become a great football player someday.” Your words, pure and warm, touched everyone who heard them.

You also used your art to tell stories about life and love. Perhaps your most profound piece addressed the struggles of autistic children. Combining vibrant colors with chaotic scribbles, you captured their rich inner worlds and their fear of self-expression. In the description you wrote: “Accepting imperfection means embracing our flaws, as these unique traits are essential for growth.” Through your art, you taught us how to embrace diversity and approach life with compassion.

And yet, fate cruelly took you from us. Today, we have lost you, and the world feels dimmer without you. But in our hearts, you remain vivid, your laughter a melody that never fades. You were our pride, our hope, and the irreplaceable light of our lives.

Dear Shiyu, though your time with us was shorter than we imagined, the love you gave and the lessons you taught us will stay with us forever. Your paintings, your artistic spirit, and your kind heart will continue to inspire us and those who knew you. We promise to carry forward your dreams and share your light with the world.

Little Apple, our angel, may you continue to smile radiantly in another world. You will always be our beloved daughter, the most vibrant rainbow in our lives.

Rest in peace, my dearest child. Our love for you is eternal.

亲爱的华诗妤，我的“小苹果”，今天爸爸妈妈站在这里，满怀悲痛，却也满怀深深的爱，想把你短暂而绚烂的一生，娓娓道来。

你于2011年1月25日凌晨，在上海市长宁区妇婴保健医院降临人间。从你来到这个世界的第一天起，你就是一个体贴的孩子。在妈妈的怀孕期间，你从未让她经历难受的呕吐，而是在她的肚子里安安静静地成长。我们第一次知道你是女孩时，内心的喜悦无以言表。结婚三年后，我们终于迎来了盼望已久的小天使，你的名字“华诗妤”是我们对你的最美期许。

你出生时虽稍有缺氧，但那第一声响亮的啼哭，告诉我们，你是如此坚强。从你被抱到我们怀里的那一刻起，我们就知道，你是我们生命中最珍贵的礼物。月子期间，你粉粉嫩嫩的小脸，带给我们无数温暖的时光，你的小名“小苹果”也在那个时候诞生。从月子会所到家中，从你第一次晒太阳，到我们学会帮你换尿布、洗屁屁、抹香香，每一件小事都让我们感受到为人父母的幸福。

你的成长是一个充满爱与艺术的旅程，而绘画成为了你生命中最鲜明的印记。从小小的涂鸦到在长宁美校的正规学习，你一步步展现出非凡的艺术天赋。每当你拿着画作让我们猜哪幅是你的作品时，那种小小的得意写满了你的脸。事实上，你的作品从不难辨认，因为它们总是有独特的视角和精准的细节，那是你天生对美和生活的敏感赋予的。

你是一个充满天真和童趣的孩子，而爸爸最喜欢的就是趁你不注意时，偷偷亲你的小脸蛋。还记得那个周六的早晨，你已经开始独自睡在自己房间了。爸爸轻轻走进你的房间，想趁你还没醒来，偷偷亲一口那红扑扑的小脸。结果你突然转过头，对着爸爸呼了一口气。爸爸被那股带着洋葱味的口气冲得一愣，但却忍不住笑了。心想，机会难得，还是要亲下去。那一刻，你的小脸依然那么柔软香甜，仿佛世间所有美好都在你身上汇聚。这个故事后来成为了爸爸的一个“笑柄”，但每次提到时，你总是一脸调皮地笑着说：“谁让你亲那么多次！”

除了这一幕，还有一次，爸爸“套路”你用上海话的“降维骗亲亲”。他对你说：“爸爸问你一个问题，你答对了，爸爸亲你一下；答错了，爸爸也亲你一下。”你那时小小的脑袋瓜很认真地点头，似乎完全没有察觉这个“游戏”的玄机。结果无论你怎么回答，爸爸总会找理由凑过去亲你的小脸。虽然你后来聪明地看穿了爸爸的“伎俩”，却依然愿意让爸爸亲，甚至还会伸出小脸主动配合。这些细节，是爸爸心里永远的珍藏。

你的绘画不仅仅是爱好，而是一种对生命的表达。你的朋友曾写道：“我们曾在画纸旁度过无数春夏秋冬，笔下流淌的是万物，是难以发现的美，是友情。”在你笔下，艺术不仅是一种形式，更是一种语言。你用这语言与世界对话，也在每一笔线条中留下了属于你的独特印记。

小学的几年里，你通过努力成为了班级和年级的大队长，而绘画一直是你课余生活的主旋律。从《雄狮黑白素描》到《长风公园写生》，你的作品常常引来同学们和老师的称赞。来到美国后，你更是用绘画为自己开辟了新的天地。你参加了CARY警察局举办的禁毒宣传比赛，凭借出色的创作赢得二等奖，还被邀请到警局参加颁奖仪式。你的作品充满想象力与深度，是你心灵世界的映照。

更令人动容的是你为公益事业贡献出的作品。在一次学校组织的活动中，你为一位马拉维的小朋友绘制了肖像。这位叫Likely的孩子从未拍过照片，而你用自己的画笔还原了他纯真的笑容，将一份美好的祝愿寄托在画中。你在画的背后写下：“亲爱的Likely，我把我最真挚的祝福送给你，希望你能成为一位成功的足球运动员。”那样纯洁又温暖的话语，让所有人都为之感动。

你用绘画讲述了无数关于生命和爱的故事，而最深刻的一次，是你在作品中表达对自闭症儿童的关注。那幅以鲜艳色彩和凌乱涂鸦相结合的画作，展现了他们丰富的内心世界和对自我表达的恐惧。你写下的背景介绍令人动容：“接受不完美就是拥抱我们的缺点，因为这些独特的品质对成长至关重要。”你用艺术教会了我们如何看待世界的多样性和包容性。

然而，命运却无情地将你带离了我们。今天，我们失去了你，仿佛整个世界都失去了颜色。但在我们心中，你的每一个瞬间依然鲜活，每一个笑容依然温暖。你是我们的骄傲，是我们的希望，是永远不可替代的一部分。

亲爱的诗妤，虽然你陪伴我们的时间比想象中短暂，但你带给我们的爱、教会我们的道理，将伴随我们一生。你的绘画作品、你的艺术灵魂，将继续激励我们，也将成为我们对你的最深怀念。我们会带着你的梦想继续前行，将你的爱与才华传递给更多的人。

小苹果，我们的“小天使”，愿你在另一个世界依然灿烂微笑。你永远是我们的宝贝，是我们生命中最绚烂的彩虹。

安息吧，我最亲爱的女儿。我们深深地爱着你，直到永远

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