簡單的幸福

初冬的一個下午，走進檢驗中心的接待室，地方不大卻坐滿了人，很幸運找到一個空位。坐定下來，一抬頭迎來兩對炯炯有神的目光，原來是雙人座上一對笑容可掬的老夫婦。他倆端正上身硬挺地坐著，我在好奇心驅使下與他們攀談起來。

夫妻倆都九十多歲了，結縭七十餘載，年齡近百並不稀奇，難得的是他們倆全身上下仍是老天賜予的「原裝版」。沒補過牙、沒動過手術，髮雖銀白但不見禿，也有型 有樣；耳聰目明，腦袋清楚，說話清晰有條理，一生不吃藥。近年血壓略高，醫生也只問：「要吃藥還是少吃鹽？」可見一斑。
老太太每天自己烤麵包，飲食以青菜水果為主，飯後必刷牙，早睡早起不熬夜，生活簡單心情自在。老太太近五十歲時，覺得兩個孩子都成人了，便想著領養個孩子吧！於是透過領養機構，領養了一個兩個月大，有智能障礙的黎巴嫩男嬰。夫婦倆歡歡喜喜地撫養他，如今他已四十多歲，學有一技之長能夠自立。之後兩人又陸續收養了三個孩子，加起來共六個孩子，因此繁衍生枝，子孫滿堂。
聽他們娓娓道來，滿臉幸福無邪的笑容，連旁邊聽到的人都為之動容。他們讓人覺得像是擁有很多財富的人，守本分過生活，守護來自父母的身體髮膚，不貪不求所以自在。更可貴的是他們有源源不絕的愛，把人生可能有的缺憾都補得完美，真正做到「隨緣不變，不變隨緣」。我們的痛苦多來自「想改變無法改變的人事物」，其實放下這些便如同卸下千斤擔，慷慨無所求地付出會讓心靈更飽滿。
那天，當我邁出大樓門口，走向自己的車時，突然覺得天藍得可人，空氣特別清新，心情好輕鬆，因為我領悟到幸福可以很簡單，幸福不在遠處，就在我們心中。


小魚

 堤岸一九六八

一百廿五公里的行程
在烈日下
在等待修補的公路
我享受著一種不知什麼時候
被發現的茫然
唉! 被烤焦的荒林
被焚毁的村落
埋伏著紛亂
我的鋼盔便是戰争
的縮影

回来後便目擊
許多被装飾的繁榮
許多大腿
唉!  堤岸
戰争只輕輕撫慰你
猶如我輕輕撫慰我的槍

許多建築物投給我以虚無
許多裙裾投給我以寂寞
没有詩的行人道

展示許多敗壞
唉!  堤岸
我只是找不到巢的倦鸟

唉!  堤岸
回来便有了被傷害的感覺
在你的呼吸中逐漸成長
為什麼總是那些充滿鄙棄
與懐疑的眼光
當我出現
許多美麗的印象
便跌碎在酒杯中

唉 ! 堤岸

一九六八年十一月卅日
越南西貢軍需軍校

 Jump First. Think Later.

The aftermath of the snowstorm looks like a tragic battlefield.
From the 33rd floor an amazing view of snow sitting on roofs is left untouched, contrasting with grayish areas from streets and pavements disturbed by people's footprints. The sight remains breathtaking from the sun who has decided to show up this morning, adding a little golden touch to the picture.
The monstrosity and harsh reality remains at ground level. Crackling sounds created by footstep on un-walkable icy pathways, puddles formed at edges of pavements, and merchants desperately trying to scrap ice off and away from their businesses.
You will see, however, a rare complicity among Parisians on this day. Each on the same boat, forced to slow down, no longer able to go about their usual fast-paced lifestyle. There is not one person complaining or sighing about the person in front of them walking too slow. What you will hear though is their discontent about the snow, a bunch on their cell discussing the calamity from the day before. 
A brotherhood has been created through an unfortunate event; the kindest sight of the day remains that of two men helping another who has fallen due to the icy ground.
No matter how horrible the effects of the December 8th, 2010 snow storm are or are about to get, the memories that remain are unforgettable; from the moment I laid eyes upon the snow as I exited the hospital to being most utterly eager and thrilled to take photos. (even with a camera phone)
The most enjoyable part of it being, the childhood-like state of not worrying about the possible danger whilst running to metro station and carrying my hand through the thick layers of snow sitting on low walls along the way. 
It was a beautiful moment of freedom, something comparable to screaming-in-the-woods, or what I would imagine the experience to be.
I did push my luck a bit further that night after making my way to the store when the snow had ceased to fall and started to melt. The puddles on the pavements were uncomfortable so Diane and I ran in the middle of the street (She, being the one to come up with the great alternative). She was running in front of me, until I warned her of a car driving up, and got her back to the watery snowy puddles. I on the other hand refused to give up that little thirst for adventure (or foolishness, however you will think of it) and got back into the middle of the empty road as soon as the car drove past me. I'd constantly keep looking back like the protagonist of an action movie would, dramatically try to escape from the bad guys chasing after me. The car kept driving up faster and faster, but I refused to forfeit the battle until I knew it was time to. As I got back onto the sidewalk, the car honked at me and got me to turn around. It had been filled with policemen; one of them rolled the window down and asked me if everything was OK and what I had been up to. 
I considered telling him that I had had too much fun running in the middle of the street, but figured I'd best not to and ended the conversation there and get home as fast as possible, seeing that I had missed dry land the minute before and got my right shoe wet.

12/08/2010

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