Happy Family is my local Chinese takeout. For about five years, I bought my dinner there almost four times a week.
Since I was there so often, I frequently chatted with Jon, who worked behind the counter. He and his family were from Fujian province in China. He married his wife about that time, and she began working there as well, alongside Jon and his sister. I was working on a book about world writing systems, which included a chapter on Chinese calligraphy.
Jon was always amused that I would sit waiting for my spare ribs and won ton soup with my notebook at a table in the front of the store, where I would copy the various Chinese inscriptions that decorated the place. Jon's wife could not read Chinese, although she spoke it fluently. Jon, however, although he was raised in the United States, read and wrote perfect Chinese.
One day, I received a package of material from a Chinese contributor to my book. I needed desperately to figure out what the pieces he had sent me said. I immediately thought of Jon. I ran over to Happy Family and showed him the work. He translated it for me in a flash.
Who knew that I would find such a reliable source of knowledge in such an unexpected place.
The food at Happy Family was classic American Chinese takeout fare. If you explore the rich cuisine of Leo's native province, you will discover that the region is famous for its delicately prepared seafood, including dishes made with sea cucumber, abalone, and shark fin ("China").
In some ways, Happy Family is a very humble place. The food they prepare is tasty, but not fancy. Nonetheless, it's filled with goodhearted, generous people who taught me a thing or two.
WORK CITED
"China City and Province Information: Fujian Province." ChinaToday.com. ND. InfoPacific Development Inc. Web. 26 Aug 2016.
