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The First Pagoda

Copyright 2005 Black Butterfly Press
(Dedicated to the Memory of My Father, Mervin Vann)
"Impossibilities are merely things of which we have not
learned, or which we do not wish to happen.

By Maxine Thompson Category: 0

Submit your Articles Here!

(Dedicated to the Memory of My Father, Mervin Vann)

"Impossibilities are merely things of which we have not
learned, or which we do not wish to happen." -- Charles W.
Chesnutt, American Writer

In 1998, when my father was seventy-eight, he flew for
eighteen hours to visit my younger sister Sonya who lived
in Japan.

At the time, I remember thinking that he was too old. What
had gotten into Daddy? My mother had been dead for about
five years and, unlike my six siblings? and my dire
predictions that he wouldn?t live one year without her, he
was appearing to have a new lease on life. Our father had
become this bossa-nova-ing, cavorting world traveler.
Although he still had crippling arthritis, he got around,
hobbling, limping, but still moving.

He stayed in Japan for two months and came back a changed
man. He even wrote us letters, which was a first for him,
because he was not a letter writer. (He always counted on
my mother to write the letters to us.)

Well, like that old saying goes, ?Until you walk in my
shoes, you can?t sing my blues.

Now, as a grandmother of five, I just returned from a
nine-day trip to Beijing, China. I went with a group of 40
business persons from different minorities.We also visited
Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou all modern, progressive
cities in the south of China. For a modest price, the trip
included round-trip air tickets, local tour bus
transportation, accommodations at 5 star hotels, meals
throughout the trip, business matching, factory touring and
networking during governmental banquets.

I even climbed the famous Great Wall of China. Although I
only made it to the first Pagoda, I saw that as being
symbolic of the steps I?ve had to take to go from being an
employee to being a business owner to now being an
International Trade Business person.

For others who would like to try new things, I say, "Go for
it." I have a saying, ?The last time I checked, you?re
going to be dead a long time, so why keep putting off what
you want to do? (This includes writing a book, if that's
your desire.)

I speak from experience. In the past, with my writer?s
overactive imagination, I envisioned all types of future
disasters that never happened. This kept me from enjoying
life fully, but now I find, as I get older, I am throwing
my caution to the wind and going for the gusto of
life?whatever it has to offer. I can?t recount how many
things I held back on while I raised three children. (I
only flew once every other year because if there was a
plane crash who would raise the children and other such
foolishness I concocted) At any rate, now everyone is grown
and as the young folks say, ?It?s on.?

I want to taste all that is good and different about life.
I want to come outside my backyard and experience the
world. I want to see things from a new perspective. For
example, I have now eaten bird?s nest soup, learned a few
words in Chinese, and learned how to haggle with street
vendors over nice gifts such as real pearls. Needless to
say, I had the time of my life.

Not only was I introduced to many new foods, I saw the
world through an eastern world view of peace, harmony and
tranquility.

My original purpose for going to China was to meet
publishers, expand my Internet radio shows at
www.maxineshow.com, www.voiceamerica.com, and
www.artistfirst.com, and learn about the culture. In
addition, I'd like to change the negative image of African
Americans which is portrayed in videos and have the Chinese
learn about different aspects of black culture through
literature written by African Americans for African
Americans.

But on this journey, I found a deeper meaning. The human
connection. I feel the trip will be the beginning of
future relationships with people from China.

What was particularly heartwarming was the fact that, in
spite of the language barrier, the people were friendly and
embraced my sister Nancy and I. They seemed to be
magnetically drawn to our natural hairstyles. (Nancy wears
sister locks and I wore my hair in an individual, braided
shag style.) We are still reeling from how we were treated
like celebrities.

Everywhere we went, people showed an open, honest curiosity
and many people took photos with us and of us. It made me
feel more Afrocentric and aware of our natural African
beauty. To say the least, it was a restorative experience.
Forget about the white standard of beauty. Even my
full-figure seemed to be one of interest, and the looks of
approbation spoke volumes to me. It was if the head nods
said, "Go on with your bad self. What tribe are you from?"

Just as William J. Lederer?s book, The Ugly American,
pointed out Americans? shortcomings, the only downside of
the trip was I became aware of how spoiled we are as
Americans. I can?t count the complaints I heard from the
group because of having Chinese food each day, but after
all, we were in China. When in Rome?

As I learn more about the import export business, the
international publishing business, I will share this with
interested writers and aspiring entrepreneurs. This trip
was funded by MBOC, (Minority Business Development Agency,
U.S.. Department of Commerce and Office of Economic
Development) through Los Angeles City. The purpose is to
encourage more minority businesses to do international
trade business. (For more information, contact Long Chang
at (714)956-0669.)

So in honor of Father?s Day, I write this article as a
tribute to my late father, Mervin Vann.

Our parents leave us lessons which live on long after their
deaths. My father?s lesson was that you are never too old
to travel and enjoy life.

Thank you, Daddy.

----------------------------------------------------
If you?re interested in a sponsorship package to help
promote your business or your book, contact Maxine Thompson
at maxtho@sbcglobal.net. If you're interested in help with
working on your book contact maxtho@sbcglobal.net.

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The First Pagoda

Copyright 2005 Black Butterfly Press(Dedicated to the Memory of My Father, Mervin Vann) "Impossibilities are merely things of which we have notlearned, or which we do not wish to happen.

Copyright 2005 Black Butterfly Press
(Dedicated to the Memory of My Father, Mervin Vann)
"Impossibilities are merely things of which we have not
learned, or which we do not wish to happen.