A Reunion in Taichung After 15 Years

I made it back to the city of Taichung to see and to stay with my great friends from my violin teaching days: Kevin and Vivian, parents, and John and Eric, sons. John now has a family with his wife Becca, and two children: Connor, 6, and Connie, 2 and a half. Eric has a girlfriend, Jessica. It was a great occasion to see everyone all together. Notably, all the adults in this group work together in the two “Cram Schools” owned by Vivian. The schools are a big success. “Cram School” is the Taiwanese term. We would probably call them “private English schools” in the States; that’s what they are called in Mexico. The difference is that in Taiwan, the children are made to study in small schools like these to make sure they can pass the English exams given in school.

On one delightful afternoon, Julien, Peter and Irina—first friends in Maryland with the violin lesson crowd—came all the way down from Taipei to join together for a joyous extended feast with all of us together.

And one memorable evening, John played viola together with me on violin—for the first time in 15 years! We both were inspired and very happy.

Friendships and happiness reunited.Read more