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Twenty-nine years agofrom today, Ying Pu, my dear
friend, landed in the U.S. from China to pursue her American dream.
She spoke no English, had no connections, and worked as a waitress
for three Chinese restaurants in the Greater Cleveland area. Today,
she is founder, owner, and chief editor of Erie Chinese Journal,
established in 2003. She has interviewed thousands of Americans and
immigrants, from politicians to business owners, from doctors,
artists, musicians, athletes to prisoners and the homeless. She has
written of their visions, struggles and achievements. Everyone’s
life is a book. Ying has a special talent and an irresistible energy
to open eachone’s book.
Ying invited her American Mom, Christa Acker, and me to visit
Schnormeier Gardens for her 29th American Dream anniversary. Why
does Ying call Christa “Mom”? Deep gratitude! Christa was Ying’s
English tutor when Ying had just arrived in the U.S. Christa herself
came to the U.S. from Germany sixty-five years ago, right after
World War II when she was a mere high schooler. Christa’s dream was
to become a teacher. But in post-war Germany there weren’t many
opportunities for girls to enter teaching positions. Invited by
heruncle in the U.S., Christa and her sister both cameto America and
helped in his restaurant. Christa decided to stay in the U.S. and
went to college. Her dream was fulfilled. Christa had enjoyed her
teaching career in English.Now she is retired.
The Schnormeier Gardens. I had never heard of the place before. Now
I can attest that it is to be counted among the best-kept-secrets in
America – a heavenly retreat from the hustle-bustle of daily life.In
our two-hour trip from Cleveland to the Schnormeier Gardens, Ying,
Christa and I had chitchatted. At the moment wepassed through the
gate, my breath was taken away by the unearthlybeautiful scenery. My
first sight was dominated bythe Schnormeier’s private house, resting
on a gentle rolling hill. The exterior roof of orangish-colored
steel arrested my eyes. Asour carmeandered through, peering out of
the left window, I was captivated by thesight of a green serene lake
dotted by waterlilies, featuringthe red Chinese bridge and
reflections of the sky, clouds, and treesalong the banks. Upon our
approach to the house, Ted Schnormeier stepped down from exterior
stairs to welcome us.
Later on, we learned the Schnormeier Gardens are only open tothe
public during the month of June. The Schnormeier private home is not
open for public viewing. How prestigious an opportunityI enjoyed to
explorethe Schnormeier private house! All because Ying had opened
the Schnormeier book! The house was designed by Ted and
AnnSchnormerier. Ted credited Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater as
inspiration. Ann was a talented artist, particularly fond of
Japanese art. We accessed the first floor. Every corner had Ann’s
photo,radiant with her smiling face. Ann passed away three years
ago. Whenever Ted mentioned Ann’s name, his tone became softer, with
voice lingering, full of respect and adoration.Ted’s career was in
the window and door manufacturing business. His father was a builder
and his mother was a nurse. Both were German descendants.
Distinguished to my eyes, all materials -- exterior and interior --
were carefully, tastefully, and meaningfully selected. Commercial
Copper finished the standing seem steel roof.The glass walls are not
only modern aesthetic attractions, they alsoembody the mission of
built-to-last. Brazilian Cherry and Madras black granite from India
paired perfectly together to form the texture and color of the
interior floor. The interior ceiling is archedwith the three-inch by
six-inch wide tongue-and groove white fir panels,boasting seven
coats of hand-rubbed finish. Ted proudly showed us Ann’s expansive
open kitchen featuring ruby-hued over-sized cabinets and
state-of-the-art accoutrements. The kitchen looks out ontoa Japanese
garden. No doubt that Ann was a fan of “Sukiya Living” – a
philosophy that reveresthe garden as part of the total living
environment.
In 1995, Ted and Ann toured China for 28 days. That’s the only time
Ted visited China. Today, Ted returned the warm hospitality he
received in China twenty-five years ago to Ying and me. Heguided
usin his golf cart through his 75 acres and nine themed
Gardens:Japanese, Chinese Cup, Waterfalls, Stream, Serenity,
Woodland, Hosta, Quarry, and Meadow.Throughout these Gardens, I can
see that Ted and Annintegrated Feng Shui into their designs and
constructions. As well, they modernized Feng Shui elementsto echo
peace, harmony and serenity.
The Pavilion, built in the Chinese garden, was inspired by Chinese
Pagodas during Ted and Ann’s trip to China. At each roof tip of the
pavilion a dragon gargoyle was situated to ward off evil spirits. I
took a photo of Ted inside the Pavilion and looked over through one
moon gate. A Zigzag Bridge was built in Meadow Garden. Ted explained
that, based on Chinese belief, you can shake bad luck off if you
walk across a zigzag bridge. Built on the hill, surrounded by ponds,
streams, waterfalls and rare conifers, a Japanese Garden House in
Serenity Garden was walled in by glass-turned-mirror -- ashield
against ghosts. Ted showed me how to ring a giant Buddhist bell that
was suspended over the patio. I stuck it loudly three times, thereby
dispelling evil spirits, praying for good luck, and giving thanks.
In 2020, such a trio of blessings is in high demand for everyone on
the planet!At the moment of entering the Garden house, Ying and I
both suddenly felt elevated power and energy. Ted told us that his
and Ann’s ashes would be placed around the house. Love carries
energy. The law of conservation of energy proves the eternity of
love. The Schnormeier Gardens embodies Ted and Ann’s life legacy.
On the way back, Ying Kept calling Christa “Mom” when initiating
chit chat. Her vocalization of “Mom” sounded like a little girl in
search of reassurance, love and dependence. At the end of our trip,
Ying suggested we go to Hunan Restaurant in Fairlawn to dine. That
very restaurant is the one that gave Ying her first job when she
came the U.S. twenty-nine years ago.She emotionally shared with us
how the restaurant owner’s family helped her through the early
years.
Life is Karma. We receive what we give. May we love what wereceive.
visit Schnormeier Gardens to celebrate Ying’s 29th anniversary
.Never can I imagine, at the monet
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Twenty nine years ago, Ying Pu, my dear friend, landed on the
continent of the U.S. from China to pursue her American dream. She
didn’t speak English and had no connections.
Today is my friend, Ying Pu’s 29th anniversary of landing on the
U.S. from China to pursue her American dream.
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