Random encounters...

I was walking across campus from the Education Building heading toward the library when I saw this bright smile directed at me. It was one of my student from a course I taught last summer, a student from China who is older than average and who had gotten married last year. He was apparently delighted to see me and to share the news that he was the father of twin boyss.

We shook hands as I congratulated him; not the brusque awkward handshake that is so common. Instead this was heartfelt, involving all four hands. There was a warmth and energy shared.

I walked away slightly bothered that my cultural model should presume to be the dominant one but now, hours later I look back and know it was not. There was instead an odd but delightful fusion of handshakes and bowing and the pure delight of two fathers sharing the mutual joy of being a parent for the first time. It was a moment that could happen anywhere and superseded the sometimes narrow notions of culture and identity.