2013-02-12
2013-02-11
Traditions vs real Life
After decades of celebrating Chinese heritage and traditions during the Chinese New Year, our immediate and extended families suffered a total breakdown this year. With the patriach of the extended family gone (my late Dad), and Mum still in mourning, the annual grand gathering of the clan went on haitus for the Year of the Snake.
With Mum knocked sideways by the break in hostessing momentum, and close family members spending time away from the country adding to the sense of displacement, the so-called family re-union was made up of just a remnant of the clan.
I felt that Mum should no longer host the annual 160-person re-union in future, because of her age and her hard work hosting the event during the past three decades. Immediately, other family members slammed me down as not having a say. They then went on to tell Mum to re-instate the big clan gathering next year. Say what ? Considering that I hire the staff to assist her during the big run-up to the huge party and chip in for expenses, surely I do have a say as well.
If this selfish thinking continues on their part, I shall quietly book myself a flight out of the country during all future Chinese New Year holidays. In fact, I have decided I shall be away during every subsequent Chinese New Year period with immediate effect.
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