[Keith's European Study Series] Part 16: Celebrating His 10th Birthday, Bathed in Golden Sunshine

[Keith's European Study Series] Part 16: Celebrating His 10th Birthday, Bathed in Golden Sunshine

——A Record of Keith Luo's 10th Birthday Celebration

First, a couplet.

The first line: Perfect and complete at ten years old, utterly joyful;

The second line: With single-minded devotion and smooth sailing, always forging ahead!

Horizontal scroll: A bright future ahead

In the blink of an eye, Keith has been studying in Athens, Europe, for about a year and a half.

For a child of eight and a half, leaving the familiar metropolis of Shanghai, braving the risk of the COVID-19 pandemic, traveling over 9,000 kilometers to a completely new and unfamiliar country to start a new educational journey—this year and a half of growth and progress in studying and learning in Athens has truly been radiant and at the peak of youth!

Turning ten is the first time life enters the double digits. The achievements the child has made in various aspects can be described as perfect and doubly celebratory!

During this year and a half of studying and living in a new environment, Keith has made rapid progress in English speaking, listening, reading, and writing; in logical thinking in math and arithmetic; and in sports, physical activities, and soccer. This demonstrates how a well-traveled, knowledgeable, and handsome young boy, in a brand-new environment, has shown exceptional adaptability and creativity. He has made many foreign friends, fully integrated into the new group, moving freely and joyfully like a dragon playing in water.

The Dragon Prince was born on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month (the Lantern Festival) under the sign of the Dragon. His solar calendar birthday is February 6th. This year is the Year of the Tiger, and by the lunar calendar, it coincides with the sixth day of the first month, symbolizing great smoothness and festive elevation!

So, we prepared carefully a week in advance, buying abundant food. My wife even drafted a menu, ordering traditional Chinese dishes such as sweet and sour ribs, eight-treasure rice, spring rolls, roast chicken, sushi, rice cakes, lamb rolls, beef rolls, and meatballs. She also made several trips to the supermarket to buy chicken patties, minced meat, and seasonings for making dumplings, as well as champagne, drinks, juices, and beer.

Given that the Omicron virus was still rampant, we originally planned only a small celebration. Unexpectedly, two days before the child's birthday, one of Keith's good classmates accidentally let it slip during class. Our son said that instantly, 17 pairs of eyes turned to him with blazing heat, making him a bit embarrassed. Later, some classmates privately approached him, saying they also wanted to come to Keith's 10th birthday party. Since they were all spirited and close friends, Keith couldn't bear to refuse anyone and agreed to them all. Additionally, the child also invited a good friend named Filvos.

When the child came home and told us this new situation, his mother and I discussed it. Turning ten is a very important stage in life, a rare occasion. Why not invite a few more? The only issue was the limited space at home—we didn't want anyone to feel cramped. So, his mother and I resolutely decided to hold two parties, one on Saturday and one on Sunday. It would be hard work for us, but we would ensure everyone received attentive hospitality and that every adult and child who came to the birthday feast felt satisfied and happy.

Confucius said, "Is it not a joy to have friends come from afar?" We hoped that this event would be more than just a banquet; we wanted to make it a cultural promotion activity to showcase Chinese cuisine and traditional Spring Festival culture, letting more foreigners understand China, Chinese food, Chinese cultural etiquette, and hospitality.

Over the next two days, we called the parents of each of Keith's invited classmates, formally inviting the whole family to the birthday dinner on Sunday evening, February 6th. After communicating with everyone, we ensured every little classmate had all the necessary information. Everything was ready, only awaiting Saturday and Sunday.

On Saturday (February 5, 2022) at 1:30 PM, Keith first played a formal match in the Athens Youth Soccer League for the Winners Soccer Club. Keith's team won 8:2, giving a great gift for Keith's birthday. Keith guarded the goal in the first half, ensuring his team didn't concede a goal. In the second half, he was substituted in and scored a goal, helping the team secure victory.

Around 4 PM, my wife and I were still decorating the room—tying up ribbons one by one, blowing up balloons one by one, then bundling balloons and ribbons together to decorate the living room, busy and a bit flustered. At 5:30 PM, friends and their families began arriving, and the atmosphere in the home started to liven up.

Today was a women's special: two families with four daughters, bustling and lively, accompanying the Dragon Prince in his birthday celebration. Guests were seated in places of honor, filled with laughter and joy, immersed in the festive atmosphere of the Spring Festival. We raised glasses to toast to Keith's birthday. Hot pot and stir-fried dishes, accompanied by delicious Greek wine—far from our homeland, we joyfully celebrated the New Year of the Tiger 2022 together.

The Dragon Prince and the four older girls played table soccer. They were having so much fun! Their unrestrained joy and pleasure fully expressed the children's innocence and happiness. I had always been against buying a table soccer game, but watching them completely changed my mind—this was the most valuable use of that table soccer.

The friend's child was the same age as Keith, so they played together very harmoniously. After dinner, the children gathered to chat, watch TV, and play Jenga—building layers, then dismantling them to see who would knock it over first. My son also pulled me in to play. I was very careful removing the blocks while deliberately making things difficult for the others, but in the end, I always won.

It was time to cut the cake. Everyone clapped and sang the birthday song. After Keith made a wish, he blew out the candles and then cut the cake to distribute to everyone. The cake was specially chosen—not overly sweet or rich, with a very good texture. A few days earlier, we had also ordered 20 small cakes from this same shop for the whole class. It turned out that the cheesecake ordered for the boys became the girls' favorite, and the strawberry cake ordered for the girls was eagerly snatched by the boys. Next time, we'll know to make it half cheesecake and half strawberry, so everyone can pick what they like.

After the birthday cake, everyone started playing with fireworks. Michelle's mom bought the fireworks, and the children loved them. They lit the fireworks, which sparkled and crackled in the darkness, emitting dazzling light. Both adults and children had a great time, and I filmed the whole event, capturing these beautiful moments.

Around 10 PM, the children reluctantly went home. Thus ended a busy and joyful day. After seeing the friends off at the station, we returned home and faced a sink full of dishes. I was really tired and didn't want to wash them. But thinking about the even more guests coming tomorrow for the birthday celebration, Keith's mom spent two hours washing all the dishes. I couldn't take it anymore and went to bed first.

On Sunday (February 6, 2022), my wife called me to go to Lidl again to replenish some missing items. Around noon, I walked about 2 kilometers to the Chalandri commercial center to pick up the soccer-ball-shaped cake specially ordered for Keith's 10th birthday. It weighed 3.77 kilograms. I carefully held the cake and walked slowly home. By then, all the items for entertaining afternoon guests were ready. I took time to pump up the soccer ball and basketball for my son, as he had earlier said that his good friends would go play soccer with him after they arrived.

Today, all the guests invited to Keith's birthday were his classmates: three local Greek families (two boys and one girl) and one Chinese family—four households in total. At 4:00 PM sharp, the first guest, Filvos, with his mom and uncle, knocked on our door. A tall, fair-skinned, handsome boy appeared at the door. My wife and I welcomed them inside. After a short chat, Filvos wanted to go with Keith to the big school playground across the street to play soccer. We found the ball, and the two buddies happily ran downstairs.

At 4:20 PM, the doorbell rang again. When we opened the gate, soon Evina and her mom came up the stairs. I stepped out and saw a pure, lovely, fair-skinned Greek girl with a delicate face like a doll, walking gracefully beside her mother.

This was the Evina girl Keith often talked about. She and Keith were classmates in third grade, and now they had both advanced to fourth grade and were assigned to the same class again. How wonderful!

Keith's mother warmly greeted Evina and her mom, inviting them inside and seating them. I helped pour juices and drinks and chatted with Evina's mom. The little girl sat beside her mother, very cute and exquisitely beautiful. I told her she was even prettier than in photos. Evina's mom, with bright eyes and white teeth and blonde hair, was a typical Greek beauty. Soon, Evina said she wanted to go to the playground to watch Keith and the others play soccer, so the little girl went downstairs to the playground.

The last to arrive were Nikola (or Nigola) with his parents. Nikola's parents were very talkative and very nice. I talked a lot with Nikola's dad about various topics: impressions of Greece, directions and goals for children's education, and so on. Nikola's dad also recommended a very famous local Chinese restaurant, one I had never heard of before. I might try it sometime when interested. Nikola also went downstairs to play soccer. Together with Ruby's family, all the guests had arrived.

Around 6 PM, the children gradually came back. Keith and his classmates had played against a pair of older neighbor boys who used to play soccer regularly. The final score was 4:5, a loss but still an honor.

We noticed that Nikola's mom and dad were dressed a bit lightly, so we turned on the heater. Soon the house became very warm. The children began playing in the bedroom. From time to time, Nikola would run out to grab a snack or a drink of water. Ruby, Filvos, and Evina also occasionally came out to see what the adults were doing. The children loved eating potato chips, taking bag after bag into the room.

Evina's mom proactively went to ask my wife, who was cooking in the kitchen, if she needed help, saying she really liked Chinese food. Later, she called Evina over to learn how to make spring rolls from my wife. The little girl was eager to learn and caught on quickly. They made many spring rolls together—so capable!

Around 7 PM, the steaming hot pot feast began. I sat by the electric stove, responsible for blanching and distributing the food. Everyone ate meatballs, fish balls, beef and lamb rolls, and so on. Nikola's, Filvos's, and Evina's parents all said the food was delicious and ate a lot, which made us very happy.

Evina's mom and Nikola's mom liked white wine, and they could hold their liquor well. The three ladies finished three bottles of white wine. Meanwhile, I drank red wine with Nikola's dad and Filvos's uncle, frequently toasting. This was our first time inviting local Greeks and our family to dine together, and also the first large-scale birthday celebration for Keith. After all, holding such an event during the still-raging pandemic required not only courage but also a measure of luck and blessing.

"Heaven helps the good." Our Dragon Prince has always been blessed and protected by the Bodhisattva. That's why, when we left China for Europe, the only objects of faith we brought were the statue of Guan Yin and the auspicious blessing charm—they have always been very effective.

The birthday party was lively and harmonious. The children and parents together sang a birthday blessing song for Keith, once in Greek, once in Chinese, and once in English. The atmosphere was very active and warm. Keith cooperated with me, the cameraman, and everyone took group photos. The whole birthday party was grand and cheerful.

I invited Keith to open the cake. When Keith untied the ribbon and lifted the lid, Nikola was stunned—his mouth fell wide open in amazement.

The cake weighed 3.77 kilograms and was shaped like a soccer ball, which is Keith's favorite. For the boy's beautiful 10th birthday memory, his mother and I gave it our all. I helped Keith insert the 10th birthday candle and lit it for him to make a wish. Nikola's mother Maria reminded Keith to blow out the candle, and everyone warmly applauded. It seems that Maria is very attentive to children.

Then Keith began distributing the cake, one piece for each person—first to the younger classmates, then to the guests' parents, and finally to us, Keith's parents. Everyone was happy, every person got a share!

After the delicious cake, Keith and his classmates went to the second balcony to set off fireworks and firecrackers. With bangs and pops, the five children tapped and ignited them, producing brilliant, flower-like fireworks in the night. The children had a great time, smiles of spring breeze beaming on their faces.

Keith's classmates all have distinct personalities. Filvos is a very polite and sensible child. Nikola is a lively child who loves learning new things—during the meal, he chose to use Chinese chopsticks and used them quite well. Evina is a smart girl. When twisting the party popper, it was her reminder to twist it the other way that made it pop successfully. Ruby has high emotional intelligence, is clever, and interacts well with classmates.

Friendship lasts forever. This was an unforgettable and wonderful gathering. No matter where you are, as long as you have friendship and family, you will never feel lonely or isolated, nor encounter the loneliness of being without friends. Keith is a handsome, sunny, cheerful, optimistic, and hardworking child. Though he has been here only a little over a year, he has fully integrated into the school and class community. He navigates life, study, and communication at this top Athens international school with ease. Moreover, Keith already represents his class in a weekly meeting with the principal, demonstrating the school's commitment to cultivating responsibility and dedication in children.

The fun lasted until 10:30 PM, when the children reluctantly took their leave. His mother and I saw off each guest, bidding farewell and again expressing our thanks to the children and parents for coming to the birthday party!

My wife escorted Ruby and her mother to the metro entrance, while I busied myself washing dishes and cleaning the table. Then a round of cleanup fell to me. With two events in two days, my energy was quite depleted, and I felt a bit tired. Keith was very satisfied with these two days' activities. Being able to make this special moment memorable for the child was satisfying enough.

Looking to the future, the boy's enthusiasm for life and study is like the rising sun—warm and blazing. As parents, we hope the child can avoid being caught up in cutthroat competition, can calmly be himself, and can persist on his own path. By exploring the world and thinking independently, we hope he finds what he loves and discovers genuine interests, persists in his own identity, uncovers his potential, develops his strengths, makes the most of his talents, and achieves a happy, healthy, and fulfilling life. We know the future depends on today's efforts and choices of our children.

"The road ahead is long and winding, I will search high and low." — Qu Yuan, 2400 years ago.

"As heaven moves vigorously, a gentleman should strive to constantly improve himself." — Confucius, in the I Ching, 2500 years ago.

Go for it, Keith!

Press on, young man!

When you have traveled the world, seen the myriad of life, and returned from thousands of miles, you will still be that graceful youth in red robes, unchanged in the slightest!

Finally, Mom and Dad again:

Wish and congratulate Keith on his 10th birthday!

Happy Birthday!

Thomas Luo & Coco Zhou

February 6, 2022

May all children in the world have a happy, healthy, beautiful, and joyful childhood!