The Big Move

By Lana, Age 9

It was January 23, 2020, and my family was in Japan. Then, it hit us like a ton of bricks. Wuhan,
where my mom’s family lived, was completely locked down. When my mom messaged everybody,
they all replied with, “We’re fine. Don’t worry about us, but please take the kids to Seattle and
don’t come back.” The next morning mom broke the news.
“Your dad can’t come. He still must work in Beijing. We’re leaving in two days.”
“WHAT?” I thought to myself. “I couldn’t leave without dad.” Unfortunately, I had no choice, and
that didn’t stop me from pouting.

For the next two days, we walked every single shop looking for masks. Dad took the little masks
that we found to Beijing, where our families and friends were relying on them.
The flight to Seattle felt like one million years. When we finally arrived, my mom said: “We’re
staying with Leo’s family. Do you remember him?”

I noticed some pink flower petals in the bushes forming letters when we arrived. It spelled “HOPE”.

I noticed some pink flower petals in the bushes forming letters when we arrived. It spelled “HOPE”. After reading that, I knew everything was going to be okay.