“悲憐上帝的兒女- Children of a lesser God”

“悲憐上帝的兒女- Children of a lesser God”, 我不是什麼翻譯專家, 也不知道這是誰翻譯的, 但是我覺得, 英文原意跟翻譯的意思不僅無關, 反而有點相反. 

Children of a lesser God, 是一部很好的電影, 描述著一位特殊教育老師, 跟一位學生之間的故事. 我想, 無論是失聰, 失明, 或是手足有缺陷的, 難免會有心理障礙. 往往, 心理上的障礙比生理上的障礙更難克服. 

然而, 這一群上天沒有眷顧到的兒女, 在他們崎嶇的生活路上, 還得克服大眾歧視的眼光, 和刺耳的字眼. 我很慶幸在一個偶然的機會中結識了一群盲人, 雖然談不上深交, 但是在幾天的相處後, 他們讓我看見了人生的另一面, 這一面, 是我們明眼者所看不見的.

盲人打棒球, 你們聽過, 看過嗎? 矇住雙眼, 是不是寸步難行? 然而, 這眼盲心不盲的一群, 豁然的接受了上天對他們的不公平, 走出自己的象牙塔, 不自暴自棄. 他們不儘在黑暗中大步邁出, 走向自己開闢的路, 甚至能竭力衝刺, 跑向看不見的壘包. 身上無數的瘀青, 掩不住他們心中的成就感, 跟臉上滿足的笑靨. 

長久以來, 我知道”殘而不廢”的意思, 但是從未真正懂得它的涵意. 我感謝這一群盲友為我解釋了它的意義, 也為我開啟了另一扇視窗. 

盲人打棒球: http://espn.go.com/swf/eticket/beep/beep.html

一同關心視障學童:  http://lxjk.51140.net/jkxw/220013980.html

Family Time

We enjoy spending time with our sons whenever we can. It doesn’t matter if we’re just riding our bikes around the blocks, or having fun at the playground in a nearby park. Family time is a top priority for us. We are usually greeted by other families while we are out. However, it has become more and more common that many parents are "disconnected" during these family outings.  

I’m not sure if the mom with the cute little boy is texting her best friend about the ongoing sales? She hasn’t stopped texting since sitting down on playground bench. Two boys are out playing catch with their dad, only the dad brings his electronic toy with him. He soon excuses himself from his sons and sits down to immerse himself in his techno gadget with a pair of headphones. These scenes play out over and over again at musical recitals, school plays, soccer practices, among many other places. 

I’m not here to preach good-parenting. We all have our own ideal on the subject. This I’ll say though, family time needs “quality” to make it meaningful. If you must, bring a camera with you - capture the moments which you’ll treasure for years to come.

Make Yourselves at Home

About three months ago I found out Mike and Linda had placed their home in S.C. on the market during a conversation with my sister. "Really? They did that? Where are they going to live then?", I asked my sister. "They are coming to stay with us.", my sister replied. "Oh, I see. How long are they staying?", I asked again. "Six months, maybe longer. Until they sell their home in S.C., I guess.", my sister responded with a heavy sigh. "Say what?!", I was completely surprised after learning this. 

I don't remember when exactly my parents befriended Linda & Mike. My guess is about 20 years ago. They were acquaintances at first but over the years they had become the regulars among our guests. Mike had once served in the military, always has a few jokes or stories to share. Linda has this vivacious personality and is always welcoming. 

A few years ago, Mike had decided to move back to his roots - South Carolina, and to be closer to his children from his first marriage. When Mike has his mind made up, it's his way or no way. As reluctant as Linda was, she packed up all their belongings as Mike put up the "For Sale" sign in their front yard. It wasn't long before the realtor presented them with the first offer on the house. It was sold a short time after, which made Mike very happy. 

Mike and Linda settled in a new home they had built, a few miles from where Mike had spent his childhood. When we visited them four years ago, Mike took us on a tour around the area. It's a quaint little town I must say. Just as we all thought Mike and Linda had found the perfect place to spend their retirement, surprise news arrived. Although it didn't come as a total shock, we were surprised to learn that Mike's children were only lukewarm about their father's homecoming. Mike never did have a close relationship with his three children.

In the six years that Mike and Linda had moved back, they had received more visits from my sister's family and ours. No matter how much Mike tried to rekindle his relationship with his kids, they stayed at an arm's length. It was more saddening to Mike, when his grandchildren kept their distance from him as well. I guess things aren't the same anymore after you have uprooted for so long. Bearing this "unwanted" burden and feeling neglected, Mike and Linda felt that they had no choice but to move back to San Diego, to their circle of friends. 

So, with a few suitcases of belongings, Mike and Linda left their house key with the realtor. My sister's place would become their "temporary" home. My niece and nephew grew up under Mike and Linda's watchful eyes so they really liked the idea of "grandpa" and "grandma" coming and staying with them. Little did they realize, their house guests would stretch "make yourselves at home" to an uncharted boundary.

All in all, Mike is a loving and jolly kind of guy, Linda on the other hand, plays a great hostess whenever we visit them. In the weeks that followed their arrival at my sister's, they began to show a side which was unbeknown to us. It was nothing short of an eye opener so to speak, particular for my sister's family. 

Every morning, Mike'd sit in his favorite spot in the family room. Kicking his feet on the table, sipping on his coffee and watching the TV, it's just like home for Mike. Linda cleared out the cabinet space under the sink, to make room for her personal items. No big deal, right? Well, Mike has the ability to remain seated in the reclining sofa for hours on end. Linda'd bring him drinks, meals, and snacks. She'd also take away his cup, plate, utensils and wrappers  when he yelled "Honey...". Clearing out cabinet space is fine but not when the hosts' belongings are put in the bags and shoved to the side. My sweet mom was in disbelief to discover her stuff in grocery bags tugged away in the cabinet.

"What's all this white stuff on the table?", my niece asked my sister one afternoon. My sister took a closer look and was puzzled by the small mound of "shavings". Minutes later, Mike came back to his seat, feet up on the table again. My sister then realized that Mike had been rubbing his heels on the table. "Gross!", she asked my niece and nephew to do their homework on the dinner table. "Repulsive! Absolutely repulsive!", was my sister's reaction. Despite the tension that was building up, my sister remained calm. She didn't want to confront them since they have been a part of the family for so long. 

Two nights ago I called my sister, they have an upcoming trip to Taiwan this December. I asked how everyone was doing and if the kids were excited about the trip. It didn't take long before we shifted our topic to their house guests. It was then I learned about all these behaviors of our family friends. "They returned to S.C. about a month ago.", my sister said. "Oh really, they did?", I responded. Due to our work schedules and living in different time zones, sometimes my sister and I don't get a chance to talk for several weeks.

"I was very busy with the kids' activities and my new job. I guess they felt left-out and wanted to leave.", my sister said. I detected a sense of relief in her tone. "Well, can't please them all the time, right? I'm happy for you that this is over.", I said to her. We chatted a while longer that evening. "Yeah, mom didn't ask them when they rolled off - when are you coming back?", she said. I couldn't help but chuckled. I wear emotions on my sleeves, I probably wouldn't last two weeks before giving them the poker face. 

Remember, "Make yourselves at home." is a privilege, not something you are entitled to. Don't abuse it. 

Don't program your kids!

The other day our older son came home and told us that he didn't get selected for the Spell Bowl. I put one arm around his shoulder to comfort him. "I know you put in hard-work to prepare for this. It's all right you didn't make it this year, you'll have another chance in 6th grade." He didn't say anything. 

About half an hour later my wife arrived home, I broke her the news. She encouraged him and told him not to be too hard on himself. All of a sudden Gogo (our older son's nickname at home) burst out laughing. My wife and I looked at each other, both puzzled.

"I got 75 out of 75 on my spell bowl pre-test.", Gogo said to us. "A perfect score? And you didn't make the team?", I asked, still puzzled. Gogo said, "I MADE the team.", in an excited tone. "Hahaha...", Gogo continued laughing. Mr. Smarty Pants played us, he got us good!

"How about Ray and Ben? Did they make it?", I asked. "Well, no, but they didn't try out for the team.", Gogo relied. "Why not?", I asked. Both of them were among the top spellers and participated in the spell bowl last year. I thought they would naturally try out for the team this year. 

"Ray's dad is having him study the Jr. spelling list, it's for Jr. high schoolers. Ben's dad is having him do something else.", Gogo responded. Gogo is currently in the accelerated program at school, so are Ray and Ben. They are at least one grade ahead of the regular 5th graders, in some areas, two grades above. 

I thought to myself, was it really necessary to push an already high-achieving child that hard? From what I understand, Ben's dad lays out daily curriculum for him. Ben has never attended any of his classmate's birthday party, though invited. Likewise, Ben's birthday is celebrated only with his own family members. 

Ray's dad hosted an accelerated math tutoring class last year - teaching pre-algebra to his then 4th grade son. Gogo joined the study group and was able to handle the materials but he didn't have fun. "It was quizzes and more quizzes.", I remember Gogo telling us about this, mid way through the "Math Kangaroo" program. 

Sure, school is usually associated with homework more so than fun. As adults we know what it's like to be working all the time - it sucks! Here is what I want to say to all you Tiger moms and dads, Don't program your kids!

黑暗中的跑壘者

如果, 你(妳)的眼睛被蒙了起來. 再也見不到這個五彩繽紛的世界, 你(妳)是否會感到沮喪? 如果, 你(妳)的眼睛被蒙了起來, 你(妳)能否再度大步邁出, 還是會裹足不前? 眼睛是靈魂之窗, 如果有一天, 這扇窗不再開啟, 或是永久毀損, 這對你(妳)是否會造成很大的打擊? 或許, 你(妳)會永久的將自己關於象牙塔裡, 不再涉足門外?

我不知道沒有了視覺會有什麼感受, 但是我猜想, 這一定是一項很難克服的障礙. 沒有了視覺, 我們的世界沒有了所謂的三度空間, 一切都是靠摸索, 感觸. "美"永遠是一個字眼,孩子"天真無邪"的笑靨, 也永遠是句形容的話.

"人盲心不盲", 這句話, 我想大家都聽過, 但是有幾個人知道它真正的意思? 我不能說我懂, 但是在跟一群盲友幾天的相處後, 我能些許的體會到, 這是心靈的感覺取代了視覺, 而這"心覺"又遠遠的超過視覺上能帶來的感受.

如果你(妳)熱衷運動, 喜歡微風撲面的感覺, 你(妳)能想像一位盲者克服視覺及身心上的障礙, 在球場上享受打球, 跑壘的樂趣嗎? 我沒有問過他們擊出球後, 衝向壘包那一剎那的感覺, 但是我非常佩服他們能奮不顧身, 在不視一物下, 為這一百呎的距離而全力衝刺. 當他們撲向壘包, 得了分, 臉上泛出的,是出自內心的笑容, 這, 是筆墨無法形容的!

當我們在偶然間, 與一位盲者擦身而過, 我們曾立足看著他(她)的背影, 用我們的心來看他(她)的世界嗎? 如果, 我們有機會能夠幫助我們的盲胞, 你(妳)願意嗎? 如果, 你(妳)知道盲者也能打棒球, 你(妳)會在好奇心驅使下, 去一探究竟嗎? 我希望, 你(妳)的答覆是- "我願意, 我會".

台灣有一個鮮為人知的盲棒組織, 也有一群為盲棒貢獻無數的志工們. 他們曾在國際盲棒比賽連續三年稱霸, 近兩年也贏得亞軍殊榮, 在國外為國爭光, 讓許多台僑感到驕傲. 然而台灣盲棒十多年來一直面臨經費不足的問題, 雖然近年來有媒體報導, 但是一般民眾仍不知道盲棒組織的存在.  

盲棒未能歸入特殊亞運, 或世運,則是官方不注重的主因. 海外的台僑們, 如果我們能每人, 每年捐助他們, 儘管是小數目, 但是經積沙能成塔, 讓我們伸出援手, 讓他們能邁向心中的本壘板, 也給他們有個為國爭光的機會!

國內捐款帳號:
玉山銀行 木柵分行
808-0691-440001612
戶名：台灣阿甘精神發展協會

海外捐款: 

支票台頭: NBBA

填上總額, 然後在備註線上寫下For TW BBA, 及金額

Pay to the order of: NBBA

Amount: $50

For: TW BBA, $45

美國盲棒組織(NBBA)也是需要捐助, 所以總額跟捐給台灣盲棒之間的差距, 就是為NBBA收入的資金(上例 $5).

請寄支票至:

John Lykowski, Treasurer
The National Beep Baseball Association
P.O. Box 290
Glennview, IL 60025 

心靈之窗

文筆一向很流暢的我, 數次舉筆, 卻不知道該從何寫起, 不是我找不到話題, 相反的, 是因為感觸良多, 而不知要從哪裡著筆.

日前, 在接到同鄉會發出通知後, 我納悶的想著盲人是怎樣打棒球? 我在網路上搜尋盲棒的資料, 沒想到, 找到的不是盲棒資料, 而是一份珍貴的人生啟示.

在網路上,我看見美國盲棒聯盟的一些比賽片段, 其中有一些介紹了即將在本地參賽的台灣紅不讓棒球隊. 這生中我也曾遇見過盲人, 很慚愧的, 卻從未刻意的去在乎他們. 我雖然知道沒有了視覺一定會諸多不便, 卻沒有悉心的想一下, 這沒有五光十色的世界, 是怎麼樣的呢?

自踏入社會近三十年來, 我雖然沒有做過義工之類的事項, 但自忖這些年來一直有捐助慈善機構, 算是盡了一點心力. 我找到台灣紅不讓棒的官方網站, 也讀了數篇文章, 在好奇心驅使之下, 也在網路搜尋一些關於隊員, 教練, 志工的資料. 在讀完有關他,她們的文章後, 恍然間, 我才知道, 我曾為社會做過的, 是遠遠不及這幾位教練, 也跟不上志工的付出. 而我一向自以為豪的奮鬥史, 更是無法跟數位隊員相比, 真是汗顏哪!

我有疼愛我的雙親, 兒時也沒有被同齡欺凌過. 我認為行善是件好事, 卻從未將行善視為一項使命. 文昇, 智傑, 六空教練, 小毛,及龔先生(James), 在閱讀一篇篇相關文章後, 我的視覺模糊了, 在哽咽中我好不容易舒了口氣, 原來, 在我眼及之外, 還有另外一個世界!

週日, 在李教授夫人及印城同鄉悉心的準備下, 我們為來訪的台灣紅不讓接風. 雖然我沒有跟隊員及隨行的志工深談, 但是我能感受到他們不只是一支為國爭光的隊伍, 而是一個和諧的大家庭. 隊員個個溫文有禮, 志工, 教練, 人人細心, 令我留下深刻的印象. 雖然家裡有許多事情待辦, 但是我知道, 這次我一定要挪出時間, 去為他們助陣, 加油.

週二一大早我就到了公司, 倒不是工作繁忙, 而是為了要趕上紅不讓下午的球賽. 下午兩點多, 我通知經理一聲後就腳底抹油, 球賽場地距公司不到二十分鐘車程. 抵達球場時,正値二局下半, 雖然天氣炎熱,數位本地同鄉在棚下觀賽, 為大家準備飲料, 水果. 不多久, 輪到紅不讓上場出擊,加油! 我們個個心中吶喊著.

每一次揮棒, 每一個打擊, 讓我看見了隊員跟教練之間的默契, 信任. 也看見了跑上跑下的志工, 他們就像一家友愛的兄弟姐妹, 也像一群摯友."好好享受"是六空教練在每一次投球前的叮嚀. 我打過壘球, 知道那擊出安打的美感. 不錯, 誠如六空教練說的, 打擊出, 真的是有"爽"的感覺!

在豔陽高照及調整時差中, 台灣紅不讓贏得當天的第二場比賽, 也為排名跨出了一步. 志工, 同鄉會會友的笑靨沒有被塵土, 汗水掩蓋, 紅不讓贏了, 我們贏了!

隨後, 我到了球隊及志工此行下榻的旅館, 跟遠從亞特蘭大市開車到印城的James, 林先生聊天. 他們兩家經年隨隊出賽, 雖然他們從未為球隊得過一分, 但是他們在幕後所付出的, 或許只能用"功不可沒"含糊的來形容. James十多年來盡心盡力的貢獻, 更令我心折不已.

傍晚, 林太太及Diane為大家準備了晚飯, 因為經費有限, 能省則省. 兩位女士及志工先安頓了球員們, 也招待了我們幾個"地主客人". 手中拿著一碗香味滿溢的咖哩飯, 配上爽口的絲瓜, 很有家鄉的味道! 我邊吃邊聊, 眼前看見的是彬彬有禮的一群. 我遞了一瓶可樂給坐在床沿的一位隊員, 換來了三聲"謝謝"及一個微笑, 我的眼睛再次的模糊了, 這個微笑也讓我作了一個決定.

我跟林春佑教練談了不少, 接近半個多鐘頭中, 他稱讚著每一位球員, 每一位志工, 還有同行的兩位教練. 他對台灣盲棒十多年來的貢獻, 只是輕言帶過.從網路上的文章, 我卻知道他事實上身兼教練, 導師, 父執, 良友, 數職於一身. 很遺憾的, 因為隔天要上班, 無法久留, 跟大家多聊聊天.

接下來兩天我在公司其實是心不在焉, 幸好除了幾份報告外, 沒有重要的事. 週三, 週四, 紅不讓過關斬將,到了週五遇上了勁敵 - 西岸的狗仔隊. 或許是有點緊張, 還是連日出戰體力稍退, 終場被狗群以9:1咬敗, 落入敗部. 因為大賽採雙循環制, 在敗部仍有機會打回總決賽, 關鍵就在下午那場了. 我兩點多到了球場, 因為另外一隊剛打完球賽, 所以跟紅不讓的賽程被延至四點鐘.

在炙熱中, 每分每秒感覺過得很慢, 或許是太好命了, 家裡及公司都有空調, 對這種亞熱帶的氣候反而無法適應. 隊員, 教練, 志工沒有一個人喊熱, 三點半左右, 大家在張教練指示下上場熱身. 雖然尚未開賽, 但是我看得出來, 雙方一定會傾力而戰. 雖然早上輸了一場, 但是大家都沒有氣餒, 一旁觀賽的同鄉也頻頻鼓勵他們,幾位阿姨們準備了點心犒賞這為國爭光的一群. 好不容易的, 終於聽到主審傳出"開賽"!

芝加哥慧星隊先攻, 第一棒球員, 只能用彪形大漢來形容. 幸好隊員們看不這身高190cm+, 體重100公斤的一"ㄆ央". 雙方有來有往,一直到第四局左右, 從毛毛細雨到棚上帆布落落有聲, 紅不讓棒棒有獎,終場以14:9轟敗慧星隊. 球賽結束後, 慧星隊賀我們打了場勝仗, 也預祝我們擒下狗仔勇奪冠軍. 在雨中大家拾回了信心, 狗仔隊 - 我們明天有約!

回到旅館後, 眾球員, 志工, 同鄉,在遠從克里夫蘭市開車過來郭博士安排下, 到Golden Coral補足體力. 我沒有跟著去, 隊上的大砲 - 壬壤接職台灣盲棒理事, 需要去開會, 我應邀當他的翻譯. 會上討論的大多是瑣事, 會中決定了明, 後年的比賽城市. 開完會, 到了樓上客房跟幾位隊員說了幾句, 看看手錶, 已經過十點半了, 雖然累, 但是累中帶爽, 有種無以形容的成就感.

週六, 頭一場比賽在十一點鐘, 本來我打算帶著兩個兒子去看, 不料星期五晚上我太太才跟我說, 她一週前已經跟照相館約好, 在週六上午十點去拍全家福. 儘管我想去為紅不讓加油, 但是我知道頭一場比賽是無法去的. 我的 牽手ㄝ, 是第三代華僑, 她的第一語言是英語, 不像我這外銷的台灣土產, 雖然飄洋過海已經有三十年了, 但是一聽見熟悉的台語, 仍然有說不出來的親切感.

週六,十二點半左右, 我打電話給海倫詢問戰況, 得知己方落後一分, "加油!", 我心裡喊著. 二十多分鐘後我再次打電話, 海倫掩不住她興奮的聲音, 説現在是六局下半, 我們領先四分, 已經一出局了. 掛了電話, 我高興的喊了一聲YES!.  我轉身跟兒子說四點半去看球賽, 怎樣? 兒子們異口同聲生說"好!"

兩點前我再次打給海倫, 得知狗仔隊在落後四分, 兩人出局時連下五分, 紅不讓終場以一分屈居亞軍. 聽到終場比數後,我有點失落的感覺, 或許我如果在場, 說不定他們會獲勝...我本來沒有打算去參加週六的晚宴, 我覺得, 這是屬於整個球隊, 志工的.亞軍獎杯也是他們靠汗淚贏得的. 我這臨時的義工, 其實沒有幫到什麼, 更何況宴會名額有限.

回家後, 我看著這幾天為紅不讓拍的照片, 回想我參與的兩場比賽.四點多我決定打電話給James,看看我是否能掛上晚宴的車尾. 我跟老婆說了, 她笑著回答我,”去吧”. James 一以如常的說m "好啊!好啊!你過來沒關係.”我這厚臉皮的臨時工就去赴了晚宴.

說實話, 我並不是要去分享他們的榮耀, 而是想在剩餘的幾天中多瞭解他們, 多向幾位教練, 志工們學習. 晚宴開始後, 我原以為大家或許會因為沒有奪冠而失意, 出乎我意料之外,大家的勝敗心,遠沒有我想像的重.

大會首先發表入選進入名人堂的選手, 最後一名進入名人堂是約翰.沃可-- - Jon Walker. 他在二十數年中開了無計的路途, 沿路接隊友到球場練習, 在抵達場地後, 他準備好練球用具, 練習之後再將場地清掃, 用具歸位,然後順道的將隊友一一送回家, 他單程就要開八個鐘頭的車, 在場的都紛紛起身向他鼓掌致敬.

約翰向大家道謝,然後很低調的説, 在二十數年前他就是個業餘壘球迷, 經常為了打球而東征西討, 在一次巧合中結識了盲棒組織, 也從此踏上志工的不歸路, 他短短的一席之話令我感動不已!

隨後大會一一頒發個人及團隊獎, 台灣紅不讓的第一座獎杯是最佳團體精神獎(Best Sportsmanship)我們這隊唯一跨海遠征的子弟兵拿下此殊榮, 讓在座的台胞高興萬分. 同席有幾位遠道而來的同鄉我並不認識, 但是我們都以紅不讓的表現為榮.

強棒 - 壬壤揮出第四名的打擊佳績, 當大會宣佈育廷的名字, 他在眾多好手中勇奪防禦王頭銜, 我們三桌同時歡聲雷動, 掌聲不絕. 雖然這兩項都是個人榮譽, 但是沒有一位好投手, 及眼觀八方的測視手, 打擊跟防守上, 很難能有這麼出色的表現.

個人獎頒發完之後, 大會主持人開始發表此次比賽的名次. 與賽的, 一共有十七個隊伍. 紅不讓以一分之差錯失再次挑戰狗仔隊的權利, 沒關係,明年回來進行捕狗計劃! 2011年世界盲棒大賽晚會, 就在彼此互道珍重聲中接近尾聲, 我跟大家道過再見, 帶著愉快的心情上了回家的路.

一路上我思緒泉湧, 心中感慨萬分. 台灣紅不讓所有隊員, 教練及志工們, 我衷心感謝你(妳)們!  謝謝大家讓我體會到人世間, 真,善,美的一面.更謝謝台灣紅不讓為我開啟了一扇心靈的視窗.