Dear Editor,
Never have I witnessed a more relaxed, more enjoyable farewell party than the one which took place in that humble-looking, one-storey house across from the Richmond Public Library, on the afternoon of March 1.
In fact, if you are not a member of the centre, you would not have known a party was taking place inside — no banners, no decorations, nothing from the outside. As far as I could observe, less than a hundred participants were there (or even half that number) from 11 a.m. to mid afternoon. Those who were there could be seen munching pieces of cake, or chatting with neighbours, watching a video film on the legacy of the Centre, or doing nothing in particular.
There was still a meeting of the Chinese Calligraphy group going on somewhere in the same period. People also came and went as they pleased. Then, I spotted the president of the centre dressed, rather uncharacterically, in red, socializing with a couple of members.
I didn’t notice when she arrived, but the dainty dim-sums she brought along quickly rejuvenated my tired appetite after swallowing numerous pieces of cakes!
While the feasting carried on, I could not help musing with mixed feelings: Is the curtain closing?
The senior age is sometimes referred to as the Golden Age, like the melancholy sunset; well, perhaps so. But I also wished the farewell to be a form of forward looking. The curtain may close on one scene, but that’s what can lead to another grand act.
Let’s wait and see.
James Ling Hung
RICHMOND
