Gene Royer is a staunch conservative. He is also a Policy Governance ® consultant and writer. He is the author of School Board Leadership 2000 - The Things Staff Didn't Tell You At Orientation and his international practice is based in Houston

Gene Royer Archives

WONDERFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
by Gene Royer


February 1, 2003

December 31, 2002 is a red-letter day in the lives of Mr Charlie and his family. For it was on that date that his dear, ancient aunt arrived from Taiwan on a sponsorship visa. What made it even better was that it was also her birthday. Is this a great country, or wot?

He had mentioned that she was coming over and that he planned to open the do-nut shop on New Year's day so some of his policeman friends could come by for their freebies and to say hello to his aunt and wish her happy birthday.

I didn't want to miss that; and when I showed up, the small parking lot was already full of blue-and-whites. When I walked in, the old woman was pretty busy at the time because she spoke not one word of English and was having to converse with well wishers through the apt translation of her niece. I heard more than one person telling her "Happy New Year" and wishing her a happy birthday as well.

Mr Lee said hello to me and got my usual two glazed and a cup of coffee, while I watched a couple of cops sit down and eat a half-dozen apiece. Finally, I finished and walked to the door where his aunt was standing and nodding to everyone who came and went. She wore a smile that seemed to have her lips stretched back over her ears, and I could tell that being in America was the most exciting thing that had happened to her in her lifetime.

I walked up with a big smile of my own and told her Happy New Year. She nodded and told me, "Happy blutday".


© 2002 Tocqevillian Magazine