Birthday wishes dedicated to Lorenz

Dear Lorenz,

Happy Birthday!

This birthday sets to be very special to you as you are entering a golden age of your life. You have gone through plenty of life experiences, you should be proud of what you have been achieved — money, love, power, knowledge and kids. You have conquered all. (perhaps it’s too early to expect a grandchildren?)

Let me tell you this. You are a special uncle to me. The first time I met you was over 20 years ago. When I was around 6 or 7, I recognised your happy and kind smile. You were tall and chubby, you looked like Prince Wales or a very protective guard standing outside Buckingham Palace. You were well-built. That moment was special to me, as I have never met a German before. “German” does not mean anything to me when I was at that age. I just knew you were from a far place from Hong Kong. Well, after I have travelled to Europe with my mom few years later, then I knew.

You had a very strange habit. It seemed to me that you didn’t like taking on public transport. You would rather walk all way down to Central (where your office was located) from Robinson Road. I was shocked. I had never done that. Initially I thought you were planning to save money. But it didn’t make sense. From that moment onwards, I thought you were an athletic, who enjoyed doing outdoor sports plenty much. That also made you very special to me.

Dominic being the most precious jewel in your life (hope your wife will not get jealous)

I was expecting so much to play with Dominic after he was born. He’s such the cutest baby I have ever seen. A little jewel on your hand. I am so proud of your patience in looking after Dominic.

I enjoyed listening to the love story between you and Musetta. How did you guys meet? When Musetta was studying German. Why did Musetta get married to you? Because she got fed up with other boyfriend and now she said she’s all yours. The chapter of your love story is very magical.

You are an inspiring wise man. I was wondering if there was any genes that made Germans tend to be more intelligent. But indeed, they are. I am not generalizing. But you are smart. That’s a compliment. I admire your knowledge in the business field, though I know nothing about profits, earnings and economic growth.

I feel that you would like to pursue further in learning more, but you are not that type who are career-oriented. You tend to put more priority on family, you try to spend more time with your beloved wife and son. It’s the perfect family on earth. Looking back, you are amazing.

It’s your fate spending most of your life in Hong Kong

Perhaps you have never expected to meet a Hong Kong wife when you were young. You had never planned to get settled in Hong Kong. You had different challenging dreams when you were in your teenage, maybe working as a famous banker in Frankfurt.

It’s great to look back and reflect the good old days, the best memories and congratulate yourself for getting through most of them. In the coming days, it will be greater to start another new and challenging chapter of your life. I am sure your wife and son will provide you plenty of hints and inspiration.

Lorenz, I am grateful that I could have met you in my life. For the past few years, though we don’t meet quite often, we shared and supported each other to run for our own dreams. Meeting you is somehow like meeting a professor at the university. I would call you Mr Professor at some point.

I am not writing too much at this stage. I want to keep the best for the last. Do stay in touch. Keep living your dreams and loving your family.

Your best friend and relative,

Queenie M.

November 17, 2014