‘Every day is a good day. There is something to learn, care and celebrate.’
– Indian author and ‘spiritual master’ Amit Ray
Now that the Lunar New Year celebrations have officially ended, how do you feel if you are one of the celebrants?
If you are sad, I can understand why. This is because some of the family members who were with you during the celebrations have returned to where they came from. This means they are back in the country where they are studying or working to make a living.
As I have stated in my previous column, it has been a quiet but harmonious Lunar New Year for me.
I went for the reunion dinners on the eve of the new year at a nephew’s house and the house of my daughter-in-law’s parents.
I did cook two simple dishes — fried noodles and fried chicken. But my nephew and my daughter-in-law’s parents did not want me to welcome the Lunar New Year alone. So they invited me to join their families at their reunion dinners.
On the eve of the new year, I went to my nephew’s house in the afternoon and the house of my daughter-in-law’s parents in the evening.
My daughter-in-law, Amelia, is at her parents’ house because she is in confinement, meaning, she is recuperating and resting here after childbirth. She will return to her own house after the baby is one month old.
For the Chap Goh Mei dinner, which marked the 15th day of the Chinese New year and final day of the festive season, I was again invited by my daughter-in-law’s parents to their house.
This time, the dinner was merrier. The crowd was slightly bigger because Amelia’s elder sister, Lydia, her husband and three children were there also.
I was glad to meet Amelia, her parents and my two grandsons again. I was also very pleased to meet Lydia and her family after such a long time. I noticed the kids had all grown bigger and taller
In my opinion, there is nothing like our mother or grandmother’s cooking. I’m sure Amelia and Lydia enjoyed their mother’s Lunar New Year dishes.
The kind lady had been working hard in the kitchen since early that morning. Among the dishes she churned up were fried noodles, braised chicken thighs and eggs, ‘kacangma’ (Motherwort) chicken, fried mixed vegetables, fish maw with fish ball and lettuce soup and steamed fish.
I loved the ‘kacangma’ chicken and fish maw soup she prepared and told her so.
“I use pure Chinese wine for the ‘kacangma’ chicken. No water,” explained the kind lady.
“Don’t praise her too much. Can’t you see her nose is getting bigger and bigger?” joked Amelia’s father.
Lydia’s kids, who were still in primary school, were quiet. They only spoke to ask for more fried rice or more chicken thighs.
After the lavish dinner, it was time for a Chap Goh Mei picture of everyone including my younger grandson at the dinner.
After that, Lydia’s husband had to rush his kids to piano classes while Amelia’s parents had to go to a temple for prayers.
My son, Pat, helped to clear the table and wash the plates and cups while Lydia swept the floor and cleaned the table. Because I was a guest, I just sat.
All too soon, it was time for me to go home. Pat and his elder son also went back to their own house.
All night long that day, many of my neighbours kept themselves busy, lighting firecrackers and shooting fireworks into the sky.
My dogs and cat were so frightened by the sounds of firecrackers and fireworks that they refused to step out of the house at all. Cookie, my old dog, hid under the table where I kept my stove while, Bailey, the younger dog, hid under the dining table. I don’t know where the cat hid.
I don’t blame the neighbours for playing with the firecrackers and fireworks continuously that night. After all, it was just like boarding the last train to London. After all, it was the grand finale of the Lunar New Year and the last day for playing with their firecrackers and fireworks.
My friends, I have enjoyed the Lunar New Year celebrations this year, catching up with my nephew and my daughter-in-law’s parents and family members.
Whenever I look at the pictures we took during the Lunar New Year celebration, I cannot help but smile. Everyone looked so happy, dressed in bright coloured attire and sporting such big smiles.
Now, the celebrations are over, I am looking forward to working hard to make all my dreams come true this year. What about you?
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of Sarawak Tribune.
