Family, Festivals, Fellowship

My dad pronounced suddenly over drinks this CNY that, "to get to know someone, you have to spend at least two days with them". He's a simple man, not given to saying much, let alone hyperbole . So, I am extremely pleased that he drew on his 75+ years of experience and wisdom.

He said it in the context of meeting Dawn's Aunt and family (M&M with N&N) whom he has met before but had no real recollection of. They had visited for CNY and Uncle M looked after my car many of which could not start or move. He diagnosed them all, changed the battery for one, topped up the motor oil of another and figured out the remaining issues with the third. He is one of Asia's top mechanic, a shining example of what it means to pursue one's passion wholeheartedly. So passionate is he in the field, that post his retirement, at an age when most would take it easy, he opened up his own garage and now serves high end customers.

It's a lot like my parents and parents-in-law. My parents too stayed in the sector and started, ran and then sold off a kindergarten. My father-in-law A kept busy with a variety of community and handy jobs, always looking to add value. Indeed, our house's look and feel owes a lot to him.

Their grandson J is charting his own course now, and staying true to this spirit. Indeed, the armed forces have a good practice of having family members write to the man in uniform as they are undergoing a difficult field exercise to help console and even encourage them. As I wrote my third such letter (the earlier ones were when he was in Basic Military Training and then in Officer Cadet School), I shared with him how proud I am of him, of his spirit especially: reaching high and always still looking out for those around him.

His sister and mom similarly love him for this and this extends to his family and friends too. We had a chance to experience all these for we celebrated two festivals in two months.

We hosted Christmas (named the best family Christmas celebration of all times!) where D truly outdid herself. We ate, danced, drank, massaged, performed, played, prayed, swam and watched over three days together. It could well be the last time (in a while) where every single of the family will be together for such a long time. And if you go by dad's maxim, we all got to know each other well!

Then we welcomed the chinese lunar year of the rooster and again hosted dinner and lunch, showed off fireworks, as well as procuring our traditional lion dance. This has gone on for over a dozen years and may also be one our lasts. Not that we have outgrown tradition, but rather it is now part of our history, part of us and shall remain for posterity. No doubt, from time to time we will request for them to perform again. Its only apt for as we all become digital embedded, we need the occassional (or more than ocassional) human interaction.

Photo Credit: D, whose photography skills though I seldom fete is really better at it than many others!

 

Fellowship is founded on real connection. And if there is a lesson about keeping family and friends in a festive mood, it is about staying in real touch, and as my dad would add, for at least two days!