‘Being a family means you are part of something very wonderful. It means you will love and be loved for the rest of your life.’
– Lisa Weed, American author.
IT is raining heavily as I write this column. I am at a resort in Lundu and trying hard to meet the deadline.
I am at the resort with some of my close family members including my niece, Ah Hong, who’s back from Singapore for the Chinese New Year holidays and my elder sister, Moi, from Bintulu who has just learnt to appreciate life and enjoy it.
Ah Hong wants to take a dip in the sea before she returns to Singapore to resume her hectic lifestyle as a client advisor in a luxury retail.
At the end of the table where I am seated, my elder sister has started the fire so she can start barbecuing the fish and cockles we bought at the Lundu wet market.
Chinese New Year is the best time for family reunions and I am blessed to have enjoyed many reunions with different family members this year.
I can understand why just before the eve of Chinese New Year thousands of Chinese all over the world rush home for the reunion dinners and subsequent dinners with their family members.
In China, the Chinese New Year travel rush usually begins 15 days ahead of Lunar New Year’s Day and lasts for about 40 days.
It is traditional for Chinese people to return home from work or study and to enjoy a reunion dinner with their families on New Year’s eve even if they have to travel long distances.
Ah Hong was unable to get leave for Chinese New Year’s eve but she rushed home the earliest she could. That’s why she is in Kuching with us now.
She was taught from young to value close family ties and share her blessings with those less fortunate than her. I am pleased to note her grandparents, her parents and the rest of us have taught her well in this aspect.
She even pays for my elder sister’s air fare to Kuching so that she can join us and have fun.
What makes a Chinese New Year memorable for years to come? It is reunion gatherings with close family members in exotic places like today’s BBQ party at a resort in Lundu.
When she is stressed by her job in Singapore, I am sure Ah Hong will look at the photos in her iPhone and remember the fun time she had. She will remember the lovely food and drinks she enjoyed, her dip in the sea and walk in the beach. She will also remember the warm love we accord her.
Like her, whenever I look at pictures of this year’s reunion gatherings, I will remember the fun we had and the jokes we shared.
Moi is a superb cook and I am glad she is here to make sure we eat well and enjoy our BBQ party.
She and I woke up early this morning to prepare for today’s party. She fried some beehoon (rice noodles) while I cooked some rice. I also packed seasonings for the fish, chilli paste as well as the spoons, tongs and plates.
Before heading for the resort, we had a hearty breakfast at a food court in Kuching.
In Lundu town, besides shopping for the fish and cockls, we also bought different types of fruits to eat at the resort and vegetables to bring back to Kuching.
It is still raining but I am glad the rain does not stop my family members and I from having a memorable Chinese New Year BBQ party.
Indeed, as they say, when there is a will, there is a way.
My family members are also fortunate this Chinese New Year to have a friend who willingly drives us from Kuching to Lundu in his four-wheeled drive vehicle.
We have already finished eating most of the fish and the cockles. We have also eaten most of the fruits we bought.
The remaining fruits and food have been packed. My family members are now ready to return to Kuching.
We will be all attending another Chinese New Year reunion party tonight. This time, it’s at a nephew’s house.
Until my next column, stay safe and enjoy your Chinese New Year break.
