What Lies Beyond
Many Ways to Make a Sound . . .
Joan Ann Lansberry
December 12, 1998
Abstact Art?....
(no, it's a close-up of some scars on a sahuaro cactus!. . .)December 14, 1998
The only place I could see where to put the tree was to donate our dining table for the next couple of weeks. There's enough space to put a small plate of food by it. (And all we should be eating are small plates of food. But that's another story.)
The tree makes quite a centerpiece!
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NOW you can see it!
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later this evening. . .
The Triad's Gonna Be Grandparents!!!
Cynthia and her Mother visited this evening. She brought pictures of Laura's new grandchildren, six weeks after conception. There were two shadowy forms on the ultra sound photos. Twins!
December 16, 1998
Other groups of people had a reservation for eight o'clock, and the concert as well. One was an older man sitting just to the side of where the dulcimer stood. He was wistful as the melodies floated towards him. Hwa gave some of his own history. He told how he was sent to a special school in China, sponsored by Chinese businessmen. They sought to preserve the old culture. His dulcimer class was three hours long, seven days a week, for two years. They were allowed only three holidays each year. (However Hwa revealed he once played hookey to see a movie!)
The man to the left of Hwa at the dulcimer told a story of how he and his wife heard Hwa give his first concert, three years ago. How his wife loved the music. She was so absorbed, she quit eating and just swayed her head with the music. But she was not there last night. Hwa said she had 'departed into the other realm', and he would play so that she could hear it where she was at. So he played the song he played for them those three years ago. The medley of Christmas carols surely did reach the happy angels, if there are any. And if his wife could hear, I'm sure she heard. The man started crying as the notes poured forth. Laura, Mother and I cried, as well. Later, the man, (who we later learned is named Dan) spoke. It was only last September that his wife had died. Dan spoke of a great kindness Hwa did. Towards the last days of her life, his wife was no longer able to leave the house, so Hwa brought them a full dinner, as a 'friendship meal'. This gift meant so much to them. As he told his story, our tears flowed even more.
Hwa spoke a little while before playing his last song. It was his "goodbye song." His family had had the restaurant fifteen years. Laura remembered when Hwa and his brothers and sisters were little. But as they grew up, they moved away and got jobs in the big city. Now just Hwa struggles to keep it going. He can't find help, for he trains them and then they quit. So in May, he will close the restaurant doors. He hopes to sell the business to a relative, so that the quality can be maintained. But if that doesn't happen, better to leave with good memories of the past. His shy manner give hints of eagerness about the future he has planned. Perhaps he will do more with his music. Perhaps he will help preserve Chinese traditions and teach others to play the dulcimer. He didn't say. But we all wish him much happiness in what ever endeavor he undertakes, and are grateful for the many happy times we've spent at Lucky's.
