Today's sermon...

I got a call this morning at 3 am (3pm yesterday in NY). A friend and business associate who wasn't aware I was in China. Ed worked with me at my previous job, under the same tyrannical egotist. He was calling to let me know he lost his job. I couldn't get back to sleep after that call. My first thoughts were of recollecting my anger with my former boss, and of how I might help my friend. But then, selfishly, I began to think of the contrast between Ed's situation and where I am in my life these days. I love my new family (and my old, too, of course) and I love my job. Our health is good, and we're on an awsome adventure in a magical place. Life is good. I found myself thinking happiness is a fragile thing, and when you have it (whatever "it" is for you) it's so important to recognize it, wallow in it..

Imagine a forbidden city of 9,999 & 1/2 rooms (1/2 less than the Emporer's boss..God). Incredible craftsmanship. Nesting palaces within palaces. Enormous wealth..and (for the accountants out there) an intricate mathematical hierarchy dictating the size of each palace, the number of bridges, the size of doors, the number of mythical beasts guarding the portal, the color of each roof (nine beasts and a yellow roof reserved for the emporer).

And that was just the first stop on the first official day's tour. We visited a kindergarten where our kids sung the Do Re Mi song (from the Sound of Music) to the class, and they sung it back, in Chinese. Cheesy? Yeah, a little bit, but touching, as well. We had lunch at the home of a local resident who resided in one of the thousands of hutongs (ancient alleyways bordered by walled homes). After lunch, he serenaded us with some ancient stringed instrument, while our male guide sung opera in the female's role. Then Kate was invited to play the instrument, and several cats in the neighborhood fell off their fences. Then, on to the drum tower. Seven zillion steps to the top, followed by a 360 degree view of Beijing. Kate bonded immediately with the other kids, so when the tour ended for the day at 4:30, they met for a swim at the hotel pool. We met a friend from the States for dinner at a lovely Vietnamese restaurant, looking out on a lake...Kate's head was in her plate before the appetizer came.

Well rested now, though, and ready for another fulfilling day. More later.