I was in my early 30s, seeking a creative outlet unrelated to boring housework and raising little kids. At 65, George had recently retired and was seeking a rewarding hobby for his golden years. For both of us, painting was “it” and we met at a local painting class. Thus began a friendship that was to last for 25 years - until the day he died.

George took to painting with an awe-inspiring (令人惊叹的) level of passion and commitment, even changing the spare bedroom of his home into a studio. How I envied him, as in my own home and I had neither the space nor the the funds for such a luxury. His painting equipment was comprehensive. George housed many of these items in a tool box- a red metal tool box. For about six years George and I studied together through various units until the completion of the course.

Fast-forward some years and George was now about 80 years old. One day, he rang and told me that he was giving up painting and giving away all his “stuff”.   “I can’t paint, Bev. I don’t know why I ever thought I could,” he declared. Actually, he was mistaken about his painting ability because he had turned out some unique and wonderful works. However, George had decided he was through with painting, and no amount of talking could persuade him otherwise. And so that was why George left all his painting equipment to me. “You have the best talent and are most likely to use it,” he said. After considerable persuasion, I accepted this precious gift on condition that he could get it back at any time. He never did, of course.

I still use much of his equipment today. As I paint, I often remember George, his big personality, generous spirit and unfailing encouragement. The most treasured item is the red tool box, still in good shape. The original shop sticker is till firmly in place although the price has long since worn off. But that’s all right because to my mind some things, like friendship, are beyond price.

I believe that having a voice in something you put effort in will build you into a stronger person. All the time, I had grown as the one to be taken advantage of, only because I was the one willing to help others.

When I was in high school, I grew tired of the same routine daily, and wanted to be given a challenge. At the beginning of my fresh year, I was selected to be a drum major for the school band. A drum major is the leader of the marching band during rehearsals (排练)and in performances. But I did not know how to take on the actual job the first time. So I watched many videos on how to act better, though I couldn't do it very well.

One day, the band was rehearsing again, but no one had memorized their music. Frustrated that the music was just so-so, I lost my temper and then opened my mouth, saying how unacceptable it was because we had been ranked in first place as the best marching band. The moment I had finished my speech on how we should focus better, all jaws were dropped. Even I was surprised: it was the first time that I had opened my mouth about something I cared about. Because of that, I lost some friendships, but developed even stronger relationships with people who wanted to follow my footsteps.

In my last two years of high school, I became known as one full of confidence in my situation. I was the first one to volunteer and the happy one to lend a hand, I learned to have a voice by being chosen to lead the marching band and became stronger through losing and making new connections. And I influenced those youngsters to become a better person than they were yesterday.