three girls on my team took me to lunch today. it was a lot of fun to get to know them better, and learn more about their culture and traditions. one from hong kong, one from malaysia, and one from central china, but truly shanghaiese as she has been here for more than 20 years. i could say so much about each of them, and the many ways i am humbled by how they take care of me. from helping me with my mandarin pronunciations (and not accepting the fact that i may need to be reminded again ("no.. you have to know these words. say them again."), to giving me the seat of honor, ordering food based on my needs (after much debate with each other and the waitress about what is safe and what isn't), and insisting that i try all the food first ... not touching theirs until i've confirmed that i like it.
"do you guys eat at this restaurant often?"
"no, just for a very special guest."
we expect and take so much for granted in the US. so many times already, i've been nearly brought to tears as i realize the distance between our 'normals' … and yet, they give to me with none of the bitterness that i would surely have if our positions were reversed.
i asked one sweet friend about siblings. she told me that she didn't have any, not because of the one child law, but because her parents could not afford another child. the thought of not having any one of my brothers b/c my parents literally could not put food in their mouths, is something i can't even begin to grasp. she said she had always wanted a little brother.
"do you have any siblings?"
"yes. i have 3 brothers."
"oh, you are very lucky."
"yes … i am." in so many ways, i am.
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