A special gift
Feb 29th, 2008 by Peter
Yet another of those popular follow-ups on our trip to China the summer of 2007.
One day we were invited to eat dumplings at C’s sister’s house.
The dumplings were great and after relaxing a bit, C’s sister told C that she had some presents for us. Besides some exquisite handcrafted glass objects to put on the wall back home, C’s sister had a special gift for me. She handed me a small box and inside I found a carved brown stone that was shaped like a sort of animal. It was a necklace and the “chain” was made of green sowing threads beautifully woven together with a few white pearl-shaped stones. I was told that it was a Chinese fable animal that meant wealth and prosperity.
As usually I can’t write the Chinese word, but it is pronounced like: “Pee-Tchu”. The animal has a big mouth and no butt hole (takes some of the romance off it I know, but nevertheless) which is symbolic for someone who gains a lot, but never looses it.
I really liked the necklace even though I’ve never been much of a jewellery-guy. It’s heavier than you’d think, but you get used to it. Only downside is that we had to change to an silver chain, as the other gave me a rash after a few months, but thats what many fabrics do for me too.
Here’s a picture:
I still wear the jade snake I got from my then to-be in 1999. It’s a small low grade green jade with her nick name ingraved in Chinese on the back side. I just (as most Chinese) wear it in a thin red string (almost not red anymore after 9 yesrs of wear and wash). She then was wearing my old silver tag (replica of a soldiers tag) with my name and CPR – that one soon though was changed to gold, then diamond and in the end big blue ruby (expensive wife I have – I’m the cheaper part)
My wife must NEVER read what you just wrote. I don’t have the cash…. :-)
Hey – it’s all about that she knows the budget and I have alway keep totally in the open about it – so she knew we / I could afford it (at that point) – and I do love her too much. Now of cause I can look back and think – shit – those money would be nice to have now – we’re back in DK and money are low now – salary is ½ and prizes up.
I have tried to get my wife involved in our financial status. Not that it is really necessary, since she is very resourceful and by no means high maintenance or crazy with money on her own. Actually she’s pretty cool in that area. But I still think it would be most fair for her to know what we have, and what we can use. Also if the worst thing should happen and, god forbid it, something bad should happen to me or similar.
At a later point, I think she will be interested, but by now she use all her energy on school :-)