Gang Nam Severance Medical Service in Veitnam 3

Lea and Hong,
they followed me every where, but I did not mind a bit.
They smiled at me, and they obviously wanted to play with me.
I did play with them by trying to catch them and scare them.
They LOVED it. They run and laugh.
Hong, even show his all kinds of dance move to me, and he did all kinds of tricks in the harsh cement floor.
I just felt loved with these two children.

I always liked children, and I have baby sit before, but I never saw a more appreciative children than Lea and Hong. They did not complain at any thing, if I was helping with some doctors, they would wait for me until I finish my job. They listened to me, although we could not directly have a conversation. They would follow me, and when I were trying to talk with some old grandmothers, they came with me and fixed my pronunciation. Then, they could understand what I was trying to say (of course, I had no idea what they were saying, although Lea and Hong try their best).

Then I looked closer to these children. They were about first graders or younger.
I remember my self being in St. Louis when I was their age.
I looked back at them.

Their clothes had several holes, the colors were faded, and the it had a power ranger on their shirt. How could they even find Power Ranger T-Shirts these days, that show was over when I was in elementary school. I was sure, it was from the old days...

However, their face were like angles'. They were beautiful, they were happy and they were enjoying.

These children were special, may be not special from the world's leaders' perspective, but they were precious children.

I looked at Hong, and I wanted to be remembered by him.
I was wearing my Nike watch at the time. It was not extremely expensive, but I was wearing it every day since I got it for Cross Country.
I kind of hesitate, but I take off my watch and gave it to Hong.

He became ineffable. He was so surprised and happy. His eyes were bigger than ever, looking at the little big watch for his small wrist.
I showed him the glowing function for the dark time, and I showed him different mode. I called a busy interpreter, and through him I thought Hong how to use my watch.

I honestly never saw a person who looked happier. It was nothing big for me, I had that watch for a year and, honestly, I was getting little bored with that watch. But for him, it was different. It was his first watch, and probably his first electric "toy."

I still don't have a watch, and I won't buy it until I really need one. Every time I miss my watch, I wanted to remember Hong and his happy face.

Today, I was running cross country meet, and I wanted to know how fast I was going so badly, but I couldn't. My watch was in Vietnam! I was terribly out of shape, so I was having the worst time in the course, but as soon as I remembered Hong, I could kept running.

I made sure that the watch was a gift,and I asked the interpreter to say "Study Hard and be a leader" Hong said yes, and he promised he would study hard and be a leader.

And I hope that watch will be in his wrist for ever, and I hope he remembers a volunteer who gave him the watch.
And maybe someday, I will get to see him again with the watch. Maybe he is serving other people in other places in the world.

Hong, I love you!