My Aunt, Dr. Zhang
When I was 15 years old and waiting to attend high school, I visited my Uncle’s family in Qindao City. It was during this summer vacation that my Aunt, the wife of my father’s older brother, taught me the wonderful skill of Pediatric Tui Na. But my Aunt taught me much more than just the skill.
My Aunt worked at a school clinic as a doctor so she spent the summer vacation at home with their four kids and me. So many mothers brought their kids to get treatments from her everyday and I was fortunate to watch and learn as she treated them.
Early one morning, a lady carried an 18 month old girl to her house. She said, “Dr Zhang, my friend told me to come to you to help my daughter.” The mother was holding back her tears and looked very sad. My Aunt asked her what was wrong with that little girl and she said her daughter was running a fever for a few days and had been in and out of the hospital. She had been treated with an IV and that had gotten the temperature down but then a few hours later her daughter’s temperature spiked high again. I will always remember that little girl with very red lips and face who did not cry and looked very sleepy.
Almost immediately, my Aunt started to do Tui Na for her. When she was giving the treatment, she also asked the mother a lot of questions. My Aunt told the mother the baby had too much heat and she needed more water to drink.
After the treatment was complete, the mother said, “How much do I owe you Dr Zhang?” Dr Zhang replied, “You do not need to pay me. I have a job and income. Just remember to feed your daughter more water and she should be fine.”
The following morning, the mother came back without the little girl and was carrying a big watermelon. She told my Aunt, “My daughter had no fever all day yesterday and all night last night. She is playing with her big sister now. Thank you Dr Zhang! I want to give this watermelon to you.
My Aunt, Dr Zhang said, “No, no, no, I do not need the watermelon but your daughter really needs it, and after her fever the watermelon will be good for her, please take it home with you.” But that lady put the watermelon on the floor and then left.
One of my cousins, Yalei and I heard the conversation. My Aunt told Yalei to take the watermelon back to that lady’s house. Yalei said, “Mother, you are going to hurt her feelings by doing this, she really wants it to give the watermelon to you.” My Aunt said, ”Are you going to take it back or not? If you do not do it, I will take it back by myself.”
We both took turns carrying that watermelon back to the lady. After we got back home, my Aunt said to us: “Can you see that mother is not in good financial status? Money can be a big problem for her family, but we are fine. Watermelon costs money to buy and her daughter needs care. Whenever you are able to help other people, you should just do it, you should not take their money or food.”
My Aunt taught me a very big lesson that year I was on summer vacation. I learned that whenever you are able to help other people in any way, you should just do it. And I have to say, when you start to have this concept in your mind when were still a child, it sticks with you forever.
My Aunt teaching me Pediatric Tui Na
To my Dear Aunt: In my holistic health practice, I help children with their health issues with Pediatric Tui Na quite often. I have helped and will always help other people in any way when I am able to! Thank you for being kind to that mother and daughter in need and teaching me this valuable life lesson.
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