conversations

So, I had an interesting experience while taking this photo. (BTW: Got so many good shots today I had a hard time choosing just one.) This flower is growing in a pot in front of the Chinese temple just a few doors down from our house. I had never seen a lotus open like this before, so I stopped to take it in. I was shooting when this old man came out talking loudly. I thought at first that he was angry, but then concluded he was just maybe a bit hard of hearing. And definitely a bit hard to understand. He didn't have any teeth, so most words came out mushy.

Old people and children are terribly difficult when speaking in your second language.

The best I could gather is that he wanted me to send him a copy of the photos. I told him I could bring him a print in a few days. He asked where I lived and I told him I lived next door. He laughed as if he didn't believe me. I asked if he would be around on Saturday. He said he's there every day, and that I should make sure to bring him a photo. I said I would.

I doubt he believes me, but I'll make good on the promise.

Yes, I live next door. I hear your drums and bells at 5 in the morning. I smell your incense burning. I see your sacrifices and offerings.

I don't know how to be a light to you.

He ended our conversation with "Do good, get good." A belief that everyone around here holds to. Except when pressed. Then they admit pretty readily that, no, it doesn't always work that way. Good people suffer. Bad people prosper.

How do I explain that God allows such things right now, but there is hope for ultimate justice in the end. And you don't want to be on the wrong side of that justice.

Maybe it starts with a photo of a lotus.

I had another conversation today. One which I am so insanely tired of having. The server at the gourmet coffee shop chatted with me as I waited to meet my friend. It went the typical route that most "getting to know you" conversations take, and inevitably came around to, "How many children do you have?"

We have decided not to have children, Mr. and I, a choice which is pretty much unfathomable here. Who, after all, will take care of you when you're old?? His shock was obvious and he asked question after question trying to grasp the concept.

I found myself getting testy.

I hope it didn't show. But after a bit he asked what kind of work I do. I told him I work with the church of Jesus. It's OK to say here, and I figured that if I identified myself as a representative of Jesus I'd have to mind my P's and Q's and be nice to the guy.

It worked.

Fortunately my friend arrived soon afterward. After our coffee we headed back to my house, and there ensued one more noteworthy conversation. (Actually, we had 3 hours of noteworthy conversation, and an hour of coaching, but I'm only going to relay one small, funny bit.)

I was pouring us water to drink, and she noticed that the cat was lapping out of a glass nearby. She wondered whose glass it was, and I had to admit that it was the cat's. She thought it was hilarious that the cat has her own glass.

The thing is, whenever I would pour a glass of water, I'd turn to put the pitcher back in the fridge, and when I would turn back, the cat would always be there, drinking out of my glass. So, finally, I got out a shorter little glass and now I always pour water for the cat at the same time that I pour water for myself. It seems to be working. She loves her glass, and drinks out of it all the time, even though there's a whole bowl of water sitting on the floor by her food.

Overindulgent? Naaah. I don't think so.  ;-)