Typhoons and earthquakes can come without warning, so every home in Taiwan should have an emergency kit. You do not need anything fancy. Start with a strong sack or backpack that you can grab quickly. Put in several bottles of water, some packets of dry food, and a few packs of tissues. Then add a flashlight, a pair of scissors, and a roll of string, which can be used to tie things together. Do not forget a charging cord for your phone. Finally, keep the bag near the front door, and check the food every six months so that nothing goes bad.

Every Chinese New Year, my grandmother takes out a red tablecloth that her mother made by hand. Last year, I knocked over my mug and spilled hot tea all over it. I was afraid she would be angry, but she only smiled and said the cloth had been through worse. Then she showed me how to tie a small knot at each corner so it would not slide off the table. Together we carried trays of food from the fridge to the table. After dinner, she whipped some cream for dessert. That night, I learned that family treasures are about memories, not perfect things.