Today, on its last day, I wanted to go to the exhibition my teacher Ma Qingxiong and his students had put out in Concord - I think I had mentioned that I fell in love with that most ancient of painting traditions, Chinese brush painting.
Of course, in the morning, I couldn’t find the name of the church. I emailed Ma Qingxiong, but he did not answer. Without the name of the church, I could not find it online either.
Then, ten minutes after noon, there was his message with the address., and I rushed out – because the show was to close at 1 pm. Traffic was harder than I thought possible on a Sunday, but I made it to Concord, MA – only to get thoroughly lost. The street signs were skimpy, nice people I asked gave vague directions to wrong places. I landed in a Trinitarian Church – when I was supposed to be at the Trinity Church. From there, a friendly gentleman directed me to the other church – and I got lost again.
By now, it was long beyond one o’clock, and I was desperate. Now, to miss an exhibition is not the end of the world, but … Even if I would find the place, in all likelihood it would be closed. However, my life has taught me not to give up if there is even the tiniest chance of success. So I accosted a lady who walked her dog.
She gave directions but then interrupted herself and, with a long look, asked me what I wanted in the church. Because she was sure that by now it was closed.
Exactly! I said – but I want so much to see the Chinese brush paintings!
In that case, she said, I better get into your car, because I am the curator of the show, and I have the church key on me. - Her name was Margaret.
Bless Margaret! She opened the church door for me, and I took my time to look at the paintings, all alone. Then I switched off the lights and pulled shut the door after me, as I had promised.
The moral: Don’t give up too early - because strange, wonderful coincidences do occur. This was not the first time something like this happened to me – only the newest. And if it can happen to me, it can happen to you! The secret seems to be to stick around long enough so that the Universe can come to your help.
I thank the lady with the little dog - and Providence, or whatever you want to call it.
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