This past Mid-autumn Festival will be unforgettable for those JI students at military training because on September 8th they received a very special gift – 40 boxes of home-baked moon cakes from a parent — for the holiday.
The delivery of the heavy parcel in the afternoon caused a commotion among the students. Inside the package were 40 boxes of moon cakes, each containing 2 of Jiangsu style, 1 of Guangdong flavor, and one with sweet rice dough, the elegant boxes in lime green for boys and light pink for girls, with handwritten月是故乡明 (the moon is brighter at home). Who was the generous Moon Fairy? She turned out to be a baking enthusiast JI parent who had been baking till late nights for days. “I just hope the children will remember that Auntie Cherry always thinks of them in China on Moon Festival whenever they will be in the future,” said the pretty parent.
Students were deeply touched. Eating the cakes, they felt the warmth and loving care of parents. A student exclaimed: “The moon cakes are huge with abundant fillings, super yummy.” Another remarked: “We were shocked and couldn’t believe a parent would go so far…Parents care about us so much. I am ashamed that I am always impatient when talking with my parents on the phone.” Some students felt homesick. One commented: “Eating the moon cakes feels like being home again with my family.”
The moon cakes made with love from a mother hopefully have warmed the students’ hearts so they don’t feel lonely anymore.
The parent’s letter:
Time flies. At the blink of an eye, it is the second Mid-autumn Festival since my son started JI. He is undergoing the military training now. Starting next year this time he and his classmates will be separate in different parts of the world. I wished to do something meaningful and loving for the children. Since I like baking, moon cakes would be the best choice. It is a daunting task for 300 children. However, with careful planning and preparation, after work I baked till after midnight for days. It was tiring but worthwhile when I saw rows of moon cakes placed neatly on the baking sheet and many children would be able to enjoy them. I paid attention to details, including the containers, color of the boxes, and inscription, hoping the children would appreciate the love and care of their parents.
This Mid-autumn Festival could probably be the last one in China for next fall’s dual-degree students. Making these moon cakes and wrapping them with care, I hope our children will remember: No matter where they will be in the world, Auntie Cherry in China will always think of them and care about them, especially on the day of Moon Festival.
