The First "Family Gathering" of "Together All the Way"

In late November, as I was busily finishing the translation of “Messages from the Inner Earth”, nearing the end of the project, my senior sister said she wanted to invite everyone to my new home to “warm the stove and heat the kang (bed)” (a traditional custom in northern China). The date was set for the first day of the winter month, December 1st. Three days before the gathering, I completed the book translation and began the big cleaning for the guest reception. At the same time, I received the notice that we couldn’t go to a restaurant and must have the meal at home. My senior sister sent a list of invitees, which, including those still pending, totaled about 20 people.

 This weekend was incredibly busy, lively, and warm. The senior brothers who arrived early were full of enthusiasm, and the night before, five people slept at my house for the first time—quite literally a “warm kang”. Mr. Qiu brought a lamb, which we stewed into mutton that evening; Brother Zhao brought Gansu-style cold noodles and dumplings; Brother Hu bought ten stools; Brother Fu Wei brought lots of seafood from Rizhao; Brother Sun bought many fruits… It was truly “many hands make light work”, and everyone seemed to enjoy gathering at my house. As a southerner, I could only assist as a helper and a host. As expected, with everyone pitching in, we quickly set up a large table full of delicious dishes that were just as good as those from a big restaurant.

 The friends who came were all from the “Together All the Way” WeChat group, many of whom I was meeting for the first time. This was probably the first time my senior sister had organized everyone to gather, and with admiration and respect, they came from all directions of China. I knew I was just providing a venue; this was my senior sister’s show. The meal was just a formality, and indeed, after we finished eating, the cleaning up was quick, and we shifted into a “meeting” mode. Mr. Li presided over the meeting, and I, for the entire session, just listened attentively.

 Besides everyone’s communication and exchanges, my senior sister spoke for hours with her excellent oratory skills. She has a direct connection with higher dimensions and shared fascinating stories from the past two years in a storytelling style. It was captivating. Around 5 p.m., she began some rituals at home to adjust the Fengshui of the house. Apart from some small items, she also helped me decide on the placement of the “Heart Sutra” plaque and the dressing mirror in the house. She took with her some very precious items: a piece of glass tile from the Fuyao University’s glass wall, my Guanyin statue, silver coins passed down from my father, and even some five-spice powder from kitchen. She also left a large talisman on the living room wall. We, as her family, are used to giving her whatever she asks for. Though I felt a bit reluctant afterward, at that time, I just laughed it off.

 The next morning, at around 4 a.m., senior sister and the travelling team set off. They drove 2,500 kilometers and, in less than 40 hours, must drive from Jining to Mount Jizu in Yunnan. The journey was arduous, crossing mountains and rivers. This short but precious reunion was not easy to arrange, and I could feel the tremendous pressure on Mr. Li as the leader. He also set high expectations for me, with the attitude of "wishing I could do better". After all, I'm the youngest and the easiest to be treated as a "soft target", right? However, as the saying goes, "good medicine tastes bitter". I truly appreciate the good intentions of my senior brothers, sisters, and elders. Now, I don't have to participate in such arduous tasks of climbing mountains and crossing rivers. Instead, I've been given precious time to learn, and I can only cherish this opportunity, work hard, and hope not to let them down.