A home across oceans: 95-year-old American’s lifelong bond with China

Born in New York, David Plymire was brought to Huangyuan, northwest China’s Qinghai Province, before his first birthday. He spent 17 years growing up in this small town on China's Tibetan Plateau, where his father had devoted himself to treating the sick, teaching practical skills and helping local families.

After returning to the US at 18, David never forgot the place he called home. In 1987, nearly 40 years after leaving, he made his first trip back. 

What followed was more than 20 journeys across the Pacific, bringing over 30 pieces of medical equipment worth 6 million yuan (about $840,000) to the local hospital and helping create opportunities for local teachers to connect with their counterparts overseas.

Now 95, David can no longer make the long journey, but he remains deeply attached to Huangyuan. Having a similar attachment to the place of their youth, his sister's final wish was to be laid to rest there.

"A person can have only one hometown in a lifetime, and mine is Huangyuan," he says.

Two generations, one enduring bond. Some places remain home, no matter how far life takes you.