Being a smart old Professor of Physics at Caltech and Otago University, Norton certainly had a lot to share. I was lucky to be all ears when Norton told me about his life experiences when he had to rest here and there because of his back pain. Norton broke his back parachuting in Germany during the World War II.
Imagine if you once fought on the battlefield in Europe against Nazi when you were a young solider, what you would like to see if you were given a chance to visit Taiwan! It isn't a wild guess if your answer is paying homage to late President Chiang Kai-shek at CKS Memorial Hall in Taipei and CKS Mausoleum in Cihu. That was what Norton did to fly from Dunedin to Taiwan. Norton was happy and lucky that he made the pilgrimage with success, joy, and gratitude.
Norton is not only a lucky American kiwi, he also brings lucks to those around him. When Norton took me to see Chinese opera at Taipei Eye Saturday evening, June 6th, two big lions danced auspiciously right in front of us. During the acrobatic performance, I was even invited to get on stage to be part of the performance. Wow, it was thrilling to be lifted up by two muscular young men in the air and joined the big acrobat team of 20 on stage. What a once-in-a-lifetime experience it was! I was on cloud nine.
The last night Norton was in town, he told me that he had a great time in Taiwan. I took his words when he commented that we were right briners, because we were helplessly emotional. Norton always had tears in his eyes when he talked about his childhood stories. I always had tears in mine when I listened to his moving stories. Norton, I'm going to miss you! Have a safe trip to Japan, Alaska, California and back to Dunedin. Hope to see you again!
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