(Minghui.org) I was unable to fall asleep last night, as my mind was filled with happy childhood memories. I remember going to Minghui school once a week while the adults studied the Fa in the school cafeteria. I remember going to Washington DC for parades, rallies, and candlelight vigils. My friends and I happily ran around the National Mall in DC and passed out fliers about Falun Dafa to passersby.

One girl was several years younger than me, and we only saw each other during these events. She was full of innocence and brightness. She lived in a city far away, but us kids always found each other since there were few of us. When we later became teenagers, I noticed she had grown a lot and was wearing too much makeup as many young ladies do. I laughed, but I also felt sad by this loss of innocence.

I’m heading into my 30s now, and I haven’t seen most of my Minghui school friends for more than a decade. Some of them and their siblings no longer practice Dafa. This is nothing new, but with the recent attacks by a Western media outlet, it seems that some of our old friends may have become adversaries. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) wants to divide us.

I will soon be the age that my parents were when the persecution started. The decades mark an entire generation of persecution. Last night as I lay in bed, I was almost moved to tears by these memories as I reflected on the loss of my childhood innocence, the sacrifices of others, and the challenges that lie ahead.

As I entered early adulthood, I became part of society, and I wrestled with various attachments. I sometimes overcame them, but other times my attachments won and I felt sad. I’m determined to look inward and wear them down.

Because we live in Western society instead of China, it’s been easy to relax and feel comfortable. But now the CCP has extended the persecution to Western countries, shattering this illusory comfort as it attacks us here. Some say that Falun Dafa and practitioners do not have many allies in the West because it’s “awkward” and “marches to the beat of its own drum.” When I listen as my parents’ generation speaks broken English, I understand.

All those years ago, as we children played so carefree in front of the Chinese embassies, our parents sought justice for those being persecuted in China. Our parents were not perfect, but how could they be? They were immigrants in an unfamiliar land. As practitioners, they are still struggling to cultivate themselves while shouldering the responsibility of clarifying the truth to Western society.

But I’m an American, and this is my home. Millions of people came to America searching for religious freedom, and to escape persecution. This grand odyssey that is the United States of America is a nation based on upright principles—not bloodshed. Evil cannot prevail here.

I can only imagine the heartbreak of our parents as they watched the CCP corrupt the land of their childhood. Only now, as an adult, do I see their sacrifices.

To me, it seems that we young practitioners, while more integrated into this society, are less connected to each other. I know many must feel lonely. I do not know with whom I can share these thoughts, so I’ve written them down, hoping to encourage others—both my generation and the previous ones.

When I look at my parents, I see that they are determined and capable. But they are no longer young, and I know they must be tired. With the recent attacks from some Western media, I know many are disheartened. But when I read the Fa, I feel invigorated and optimistic.

“Be Clearheaded”“Dafa disciples,away with your tearsThe devil, Satan,has utterly collapsedClarify the facts,send righteous thoughts,Expose the lies,clean out the rotten demons “(“Be Clearheaded,” Hong Yin II)

If we think about it, these recent attacks are only the CCP’s last-gasp response to Shen Yun’s enormous success. Our childhoods are behind us. This is the time for young practitioners to shoulder our historic responsibilities and move forward together.