Chinese Version
02-18-2021， Thursday
Grace is my daughter’s friend, they are both pursuing their PhD’s with a focus on ancient languages.
During the early quarantine period in April 2020, hair salons were closed, so I cut my hair by myself which made the end of my hair uneven. When I heard my daughter saying Grace will cut Shirah’s hair, I asked my daughter to check with Grace if she could cut my hair too.
Grace cut my hair, then she painted my nails very prettily. I said: “Grace’s hands are very skillful.”
My daughter said: “Grace’s class notes were so neat and beautiful, So of course she has skillful hands.”
I smiled: “Good hands, good heart.”
As the pandemic in 2020 isolated and distanced people a lots, it also created various opportunities for friends to become closer and know each other more. After Grace cut my hair and painted my nails, we became friends.
During the 2020 quarantine, Grace and her husband, Lou, started shopping for an old couple who both are professors and who are very close to us. Almost a year has passed since then.
One day in August 2020, Grace mentioned that Martha’s birthday was coming soon, Martha is one of the professors. I was curious and asked her how did she know Martha’s birthday. Grace said she remembered when we went their house in 2019 to celebrate Martha’s birthday in August last year.
I also remembered in August 2019, Grace, Lou, Shirah, my daughter, my son, and I went to their house to celebrate Martha’s birthday. However, I could not remember that Martha’s birthday is coming again at the same time this year. I thought that Grace is very attentive.
Because of Grace’s reminder, Grace, Shirah, Lou, and I brought flowers, homemade birthday cake, and Chinese style gifts to the professors’ front door. While keeping 6-feet social distance and wearing masks, we sang “Happy Birthday” to Martha and gave her the gifts.
That day, Martha was dressed in a sky-blue blouse paired with snow-white pants. It was a very modern outfit.
Martha happily said she did not get a chance to wear her new summer outfit yet and she was very happy to be able to wear her new summer outfit today.
In the autumn 2020 on Grace’s birthday, while wearing masks, we gathered outside of the professors’ house again. Martha prepared desserts, champaign, and a birthday card, we celebrated Grace’s birthday together.
During the 2020 pandemic, the same people at the same place had two unique sweet small birthday celebrations kept a sweet story about Grace.
Little Episodes
1. In June 2020, Grace painted our nails.
Good time, retiree, enjoying spending time with younger people.
Painting nails, my age made me self-conscious about the color of my nails.
Tasting delicious food, Lou is a good chef.
2. In August 2020, Grace, Shirah, Lou, and I went together to celebrate Martha’s birthday.
Happy Birthday. Wishing the professor happy birthday.
Birthday cake, Shirah made it.
Summer flowers, I picked it.
6-feet social distance, we kept it.
Birthday girl said: “I haven’t had a chance to wear my new summer outfit, summer is almost gone. Today I finally got a chance to wear it.”
3. In autumn 2020, Grace, Shirah, Lou, and I gathered outside of the professors’ house again. Martha prepared desserts, champaign, and a birthday card for Grace.
