Diary of Dr. Red Nose – The Mysterious Donations from Dr. Kao

Around this time last year, we unexpectedly received an email from a family member. It brought tears to the eyes of every member of Dr. Red Nose and strengthened our belief in continuing to spread warmth. This email originated from a thank-you letter we had sent a little over a month earlier.

Here is the story—

Starting around October 8 of last year, Dr. Red Nose gradually received numerous mysterious donations made in the name of Ms. Kao OO. The dates varied, as did the amounts. The only thing they had in common was that each note contained a message for Ms. Kao OO. In every word and sentence, we could feel their longing for and blessings to Ms. Kao.

Because we cherish and value every donation, and because clowns are always full of curiosity, we really wanted to know what kind of story this Ms. Kao shared with Dr. Red Nose. So we began searching for information about Ms. Kao. Eventually, through publicly available information, we discovered that Ms. Kao was a dentist.

We called the dental clinic where Dr. Kao had worked, hoping to learn the source of these mysterious donations. That was when we learned that Dr. Kao had just completed her mission on Earth and gone to heaven. Listening to her colleagues at the clinic describe Dr. Kao’s gentleness and how much they missed her moved us deeply.

We decided to write a letter and send an early Christmas gift to Dr. Kao and her family:

A little over a month later, we received a reply.

Dear Dr. Red Nose:

I am Ms. Kao OO’s husband. Please forgive me for taking so long to write back.

It has been nearly two months since OO left us, though it hardly seems that long. During this time, I have worked hard to help myself and our young daughter return to our normal routines. The busyness of life has made time pass especially quickly, and precisely because of that, I feel that what you have done is all the more meaningful. During the brief month we spent in the hospice ward, OO and I felt that time was unbelievably long. Every day, we faced the same view and waited for a future that would never come.

One day several months ago, she suddenly tossed me a Red Nose picture book co-authored by Liu Ching-Yen and San Mu Sen and said that she thought these people were amazing. Even though her abilities were limited at the time, she was still supporting them. This was my first encounter with you.

Some time later, while we were out and happened to pass a funeral venue, she suddenly said, “I know you don’t want to hear this, but I don’t want any of that in the future!” and “When that day comes, I hope everyone will come to see me off happily. Anyone who sheds a tear will be fined! Then donate it all together!”

To whom? “You know, Dr. Red Nose.” Such an unconventional idea would surely draw objections from the elders. “Then that’s your problem!”

And so, I agreed to take on this task. I am also deeply grateful to all our good friends for allowing OO’s seed to continue to sprout. I am very grateful for your letter as well, which allowed me to feel warmth during this dark time. Thank you.

Wishing you peace, well-being, and good health
Lin △△
November 28, 2023, at night