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On Sunday afternoon, the twenty-fifth day of May, in 2014, when Vivian Q.F. Lum, sixty-two years of age, was receiving her Master of Divinity degree from a reputable California seminary, David C. Fischer, a few years older and many miles away, fondly recalled a Sunday morning, sometime in the 1980’s, when he had sat beside Vivian in church and heard her name mentioned in a sermon.
“Vivian Lum,” said the preacher, making a point that would somehow soon illuminate a Gospel text, “once advised me that it’s probably a good idea for over-achievers to relax with an activity they are mediocre at. For her, Vivian told me, one such activity happens to be tap dancing.” The congregation chuckled appreciatively, some members no doubt recalling a church-camp talent show of several seasons past. Before the laughter completely faded, Vivian leaned close to Fischer and whispered, “I did say something like that to Tony. But you know what, Dave? I’m probably not mediocre at tap dancing anymore.”
To anyone personally acquainted with the real-life Vivian Lum, Mr. Fischer might be persuaded to provide, upon request, one or two additional affectionate anecdotes about the Honorable Reverend Ms. Vivian Lum. †
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