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Kendra’s friends make lanterns to celebrate the Moon Festival.
This year, Kendra wasn’t too keen in planning her 7th birthday party. It was obvious that the prospect of getting more toys was not reason enough in itself for having a party for this kid. She needed something worthwhile to get her excited. Kendra, indeed has, over time, matured from a somewhat oblivious child into a rather conscience-driven 7 year old. This development is probably not surprising. Children growing up in this ethically challenged environment are learning to become more concerned, more discerning, more engaged. She has also recently wondered about her birth mother, who left her in a Chinese children’s clinic/maternity hospital, with a short scribbled note on a torn up piece of red paper that simply recorded her birth date, preceded by the words, “a very lucky time.” We adopted Kendra when she was 5 months old from Maoming, Guangdong, China. She is keenly aware and proud of her Chinese heritage. She adores all things Chinese—panda bears, Mulan, Sagwa, paper cutting and paper folding, Chinese calligraphy—and she shares her heritage at school. She annually brings “hong pao” (red envelopes) treats to her school friends at Chinese New Year. In discussing her birthday plans, I tried to be creative and to coax out her inner desires (what mother doesn’t?). I suggested simply having friends over and receiving no presents. She said it would be OK. I suggested redirecting any gifts and giving them away as a donation. Her eyes widened. I told her we could send it to China. Her eyes lit up. Serendipitously, I discovered that her birthday this year landed on the Chinese Moon Festival. I suggested blending this Chinese theme to her birthday. She leaped out of her seat, sat on her heels, brought her wrists just under her chin and started panting like a dog awaiting her treat—she loved it! So, on September 22, 2002, when the moon was at its seeming fullest of the year, Kendra and eight of her girlfriends gathered to celebrate the Chinese Moon Festival. It was a beautiful, clear evening. They made paper lanterns and decorated them, took them outside, lit them and watched a spectacular full moon rise over Lake Michigan, amid games, a beach campfire, and marshmallows. Instead of presents, she asked that a donation be given to her Maoming orphanage. The money, under the skillful direction of CHI Foundation, will be used to buy new toys for all the young children of the orphanage. It is amazing what $350 can buy in China! How many little brains they will nourish, how many little hearts they will warm. And the heart warmed most was that of Kendra, for at the end of the day, Kendra declared that this was the most special birthday of all! We hope that our little philanthropist will continue to delight in giving. A paper lantern from the party will accompany her donation to Maoming.
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