Billy Lee – May 2023
An article by Greater Good Science Ct. today asked us to retrace a
Most Meaningful Experience in Life. Somehow, I started thinking
about an Amazing Magic Moment which occurred almost twenty
years ago.
In was Spring 2004, I had arranged for a group of 8th grade students
from Hillsdale Middle School in Menlo Park, Ca. to visit and paint a
mural together with a selected group of Chinese students at (CNCC)
China’s National Children’sCenter in Beijing.
Everything was properly arranged that Saturday morning. I arrived
at CNCC early, and together with the Host Coordinators, 15 Chinese
students, their Parents, Friends, and Neighbors, we waited anxiously
for the arrival of our Special American Guests. Ms. Chen Ying (CNCC
Coordinator) asked her 15 students to line up side by side in a row with
her in front, Parents immediately behind them, and guests and friends
at the rear.
Nine o’clock sharp, the American contingent arrived – all smiling as
the weather was perfect – even the sun was out, and the sky was
reasonably clear. They saw the Chinese formation and instinctively
had their students line up in a row opposite the Chinese children and
with their parents and teachers right behind.
Ms. Chen Ying was in her late 40’s but she appeared much younger.
In a most cheerful manner, she spoke loudly to welcome the Americans.
“ Welcome our dear American Friends ! This is going to be a Beautiful
Collaboration. We are going to paint a Mural together in this China’s
National Children’s Park. I am going to match you children the American
Way – one to one on a Blind Date. Ha ! May I just ask you students to
close your eyes and walk straight with your hands stretched out towards
the opposite side. When your hands meet, you have found your partners
for this weekend. You can then open your eyes and introduce yourselves.
Okay ?”
The children did exactly what she directed. The Chinese students’ faces
looked mostly bewildered – few a bit shy and hesitant. The Americans
brave with joy – few boys seemed to have funny jokes inmind. As the
children walked step by step towards each other, I noticed a MIRACULOUS
MOMENT indeed expressed in the Parents’ faces – the Chinese Parents’
as well as the American Parents’. Some held thoughtful smiles, some
pressed their lips intensely, and few had tears flowing down from their
eyes. This happened on both sides. I indeed witnessed a MAGIC MOMENT
confirming that truly WE All HAVE AN INNATE WISH TO CONNECT AND
BECOME GOOD FRIENDS.
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