Be aware of your surroundings, you may be entertaining angels.

It has been a while. Too long. I miss you guys. We have completed three weeks of school now, and it has been a constant tweaking process as we get used to the schedule and classes. But it seems to be settling in quite nicely now. Long story short. I have been extremely busy.

Three weeks ago I went to Chan Khai Shek Memorial Hall to catch the traveling exhibit “DaVinci The Genius.” A great exhibit about an amazing man. I highly recommend doing anything that has DaVinci involved... but you probably can skip Dan Brown.

I was walking around the museum to Mr. Shek when an older gentlemen walked up and started smiling. He immediately pointed to his cheeks and said “burns, beard.”

This is a common occurrence here when I have my famous racing stripes shaved into my facial hair revealing ginormous lamb chop side-burns and complementary chin strap beard.

I smiled and walked up and said hello. We exchanged pleasant conversation when he told me that he went to school in the U.S. I asked where and he grew a tad sheepish when he said it was a famous school.

“Where?”

“Berkley.”

Wow, this guy was just full of surprises. I told him that I was very aware of UC-Berkley. And asked what he studied there. He has his PhD in Chemistry.

Charlie then asked how I liked being in Taiwan. I love answering this question. The Taiwanese people love to hear you compliment their homeland. And for me, it is easy to do. I love this place and I always have a new compliment to bestow upon my interviewer. The smile and laugh that always accompany are amazing.

There was something intoxicating about Charlie. It sure wasn’t his breath. Perhaps it was his growly voice that required careful attention to decipher the English words coming from deep within his chest. I couldn’t pull myself away from him.

Charlie asked if I would read some of his writings to make sure that the English and punctuation were proper. I obliged and was once again completely taken aback. Inside Charlie’s small journal were pages of wisdom that can only come from a man who has spent 86 years on this planet accumulating it.

There was no editing, it was perfect. I only offered two suggestions on words that would add more punch to his statements.

Closing time came and we were asked to leave the Hall. I stopped and had Charlie help me pick out some postcards to send to my nieces and nephew back home. Charlie proceeded to flirt on my behalf with the lovely Taiwanese ladies working the souvenir stand. Charlie is an excellent wingman.

We walked out of the Hall and started on our journey to his apartment. Charlie suffers from dementia and as a result his way of combating the disease is to continually challenge his mind by writing and learning something new every day. He gets his exercise by walking to the Hall twice a week. This time he had a companion to chat with the way home. And what I learned was amazing.

Charlie was born in mainland China. His father was a high ranking officer in the Red Army. I believe that Charlie came over to Taiwan in the giant move from mainland with Mr. Shek and his followers after being kick out of China. Charlie has nothing good to say about Communism or Mao Zedung. He is a Christian and thus one reason for not liking being oppressed by Communism. He has been married twice, once in mainland, and once here. His wife died about six years ago. And told me about a few of his girlfriends on the side (a very common thing here). His sons are in their 40s and 50s and are here in Taiwan.

After an hour of walking, we arrived at his apartment. I told Charlie this:

“Charlie, I have greatly appreciated this conversation. I want you to know that I needed to hear what you have had to say. God Bless.”

You see what I haven’t revealed to you yet is that in the midst of this hour long walking chat, Charlie himself was not short on the compliments to me.

There are times in your life when you need to hear what others see in you. Kids, my life has been.... difficult the last eight months. I have not had the highest self-esteem, and I have not been myself for long while. I have made mistakes and learned how not to do somethings in the future. And those who are close to me know that I am my own worst enemy. Many of us are.

If the only reason why I came to Taiwan was to run into an 86 year-old Alzheimer's patient and have an unforgettable life experience... thank you, my Dear Lord.

Pay attention to those around you. Let God lead in your life, you will never regret it.

I am going to post pics of Charlie up on Facebook and will share one of his proverbs a day starting tomorrow.

Happy Sabbath. I love you and miss you all.