April 8, 2008As she rubbed my neck and down my back, I heard myself say, "First you bring me chocolates and then you give me a massage! You are my Number-One Friend!"
Eunice Chen is the retired school teacher I met in Dr Xu's clinic last June as she was awaiting her turn for a neck treatment. We visited and exchanged email addresses. Our correspondence has been few and far between, but when she learned I was in Beijing she immediately scheduled time together – 2:00 p.m. at the North Gate of Ditan Park, Tuesday. I got there a few minutes early and she had already paid my entrance fee. When she hugged me she said, "I missed you!" We laughed and giggled like school girls as we sat in the little pavilion and took our pictures together.
Eunice Chen is the retired school teacher I met in Dr Xu's clinic last June as she was awaiting her turn for a neck treatment. We visited and exchanged email addresses. Our correspondence has been few and far between, but when she learned I was in Beijing she immediately scheduled time together – 2:00 p.m. at the North Gate of Ditan Park, Tuesday. I got there a few minutes early and she had already paid my entrance fee. When she hugged me she said, "I missed you!" We laughed and giggled like school girls as we sat in the little pavilion and took our pictures together.
She had a cloth bag with a sketch of Piglet on the side. Inside she had an assortment of books and things. The first item she brought out was a gift for me of a silk scarf, similar to the one she was wearing. I instantly put it around my neck; aaahh, smooth, soft and warm! Next she brought out a book of maps of the United States; she wanted to know where I live. Oddly, the states weren't in alphabetical order, but she was able to find Montana. After that she showed me an English version of a book explaining the historical sites of Beijing – she wanted to know where I've been. Then, a brochure on a high-tech neck support, complete with infrared "moxa" and magnets, she's using to restore the curve in her neck. And then she brought out the chocolates! The bag had "I Love You" chocolate hearts, Happy New Year chocolates, crispy "shrimp" candy (not really made with shrimp!), and the Double-Happiness candy eaten at weddings. She kept handing me more! She asked if I like chocolate? "YES! And, I haven't had any in a couple of weeks," I said with my mouth full! The Double-Happiness candy wrapper was especially difficult to unwrap, but she tore into it like an expert! After eating three pieces, I put the others in my pocket for later.We caught-up on our families and then decided to take more pictures. We walked over to the plum blossom tree at the knoll, whose thick pink blossoms make a great back-drop for photos. We had more photo-ops at the key-hole gate.
Finally, we left the park and walked to my hotel. I had offered to give her a neck treatment, and she gratefully and graciously accepted. Once in the room, I showed her photos of my family on my laptop before beginning. By now time was running short as she wanted to catch the 4:30 subway for her two-and-a-half hour(!) trip home, and it was just after four p.m. Where had the time gone?! Her cell phone rang three times during her treatment! I wrapped it up quickly, keeping the time in mind. But, then she insisted on giving ME a treatment! I was incredulous! But who am I to turn down a massage? I haven't taken time for a foot massage or any such thing during my stay thus far, so I'm over-due! She rubbed and hit and pinched her way around my shoulders and down my arms like a pro! She pulled my fingers and they popped! She beat down my back, and grasped the back of the neck. It all needed it and I LOVED IT! She said she's been taking notes at her appointments with Dr Xu and practicing on her husband and son. I couldn't be a happier recipient!
We threw our coats on and she reminded me to put my new silk scarf around my neck to protect my throat. Then we walked briskly towards the subway station. When we got as far as the West entrance to Ditan Park, she stopped and said, "I know the way. You don't have to go with me." So, we hugged good-bye. I heard myself say, "I love you!" She said she'd invite me to her house on my next visit for a home-cooked meal. "Good-bye!" we waved. I turned, and as I walked I realized I had a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. She touched my heart.
Hong Liang - Knitting the world together, one connection at a time
We threw our coats on and she reminded me to put my new silk scarf around my neck to protect my throat. Then we walked briskly towards the subway station. When we got as far as the West entrance to Ditan Park, she stopped and said, "I know the way. You don't have to go with me." So, we hugged good-bye. I heard myself say, "I love you!" She said she'd invite me to her house on my next visit for a home-cooked meal. "Good-bye!" we waved. I turned, and as I walked I realized I had a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. She touched my heart.
Hong Liang - Knitting the world together, one connection at a time
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