新年随笔

One Saturday I dropped daughter off at the nursing home, where she regularly plays cello for the patients, and then rushed off to get some shopping done.  It was a gloomy dull winter day after Christmas.

 

“How was it?”  I asked as I picked her up, my mind still pre-occupied with my long to-do list in preparation for a party that we were hosting that night at home. 

 

“Fine.  Not a lot of people came because of the holiday season," she said. As with most teenagers, their answer to all your questions is the magic word “fine” to shut you up.

 

“Okay.” As I drove off, my mind was busy planning the most efficient route to navigate through the aisles of Sam’s Club to get what I need quickly for the party.

 

“Eh, there was this cute little lady who came up to me at the end and told me that I was God's blessing multiple times.  She said that I was God's blessing because it's not a very nice day out, but I still came and played for them.” “Whoa, that’s something!" “She also came over again, shook my hand twice and then helped me put on my coat. She even kissed my hand!” Daughter started talking.

 

“There were also these two ladies, one dressed all in zebra print and the other matched all in leopard print.”  As she was telling me, I could see the old ladies in their cute zebra and leopard print hats and fur coats, giggling like teenagers.

 

Suddenly my heart was warmed and I was not in a hurry anymore.  As humans, we have been tirelessly searching for the meaning of life.  Who are we? Why are we here? What is our purpose?  The fact that we came with nothing and leave with nothing saddens and frightens us.  So along the way, we desperately want to grab something, let it be faith, love, fame, fortune, or memories.  But today, all that matters is that we brightened someone’s day and someone warmed our hearts.  As we leave 2013 and welcome 2014, I hope that I can be a step closer to the truth.  马年快乐!