A Chance Encounter

I'm going to start out this blog on a rather obscure and spontaneous note, reminiscing on a random event that occurred this past Friday (September 25, 2009).

As a Chinese adoptee in a predominately white community, it's rare to see other Asians, or adoptees in general.  I go to the doctor in the community next to mine.  This past Friday, quite a chance meeting occurred; one of those meetings that only destiny can arrange.

As I left the doctor's office, I sat in the waiting room with my mother.  There were only two other people in the room; a caucasian woman and a little Korean boy.  Thus, the four people in the room were me, my mother, the little Korean boy, and his mother.

We sat there in silence for a few minutes.  I finally blurted out, "Are you adopted?" to the boy.  He seemed a bit startled, but his mother encouraged him.  He said he was adopted from Korea, and was in elementary school.  We began discussing how we knew this particular doctor.  The boy sat there awkwardly, continuing to swing his legs back and forth as our mothers talked.

The little Korean boy was adorable, but I knew he would go through struggles in his life in the next few years.  Hopefully his mother will be understanding and empathetic.

After a few minutes, we left, but I walked out reveling in the probability of such an encounter occurring. I'd never randomly met another adoptee before.  Korean adoptees are quite common, but I'd never encountered another adoptee in such a spontaneous matter - usually when I meet other adoptees, the meeting is arranged (such as with Families with Children from China).  What were the odds of sitting in a waiting room with my mother, and the only two other people in the room being a Korean adoptee and his mother?  This was just one of those precious moments in life, one of those random instances that are simple, yet delicate.  Somehow, it was also meant to be.

It was just one of those simple, beautiful moments.  It's rare for me to come across someone like myself, whether they be young or old.  I left the doctor's office and descended the elevator smiling.

It's these simple moments in life that make life worthwhile, especially for an adoptee.  If only this boy was a bit older, perhaps we could have become friends.