A Season of Home

Strange.

When it comes to times like this, the man must find his ties and roots. The family unit is unique. Seasons are created for the family to come together. God has mandated that there shall be times of reconciliations and harmony. Differences come aplenty; individuals have opinions that can tear one another apart and yet when you belong to the family; nothing can change the status; you belong to the unit.

So you learn to accept, forgive and love as the Good Book teaches. 

In fact, one man's meat is another man's poison. Doesn't that occur in the choice of colours, styles, outlooks and surely the life partner. However, I realise that nothing is really wrong as long as you live by certain acceptable values and norms in basic living. I have told my girls it is how you lead a life that is important. This is the best test of our teaching coming into place. Blessed is the home that lives in harmony and peace.

Look at Kong Kong. He has gone through much. He has resolved issues with one main principle; to stay focus. He told me last night that he learns to switch off at petty matters and project on the right values...make money. Hahaha...his pocket is always full and refuses to concede to sloth and wrong decisions. He chides at ill behaviour and praises right attitudes and harasses his grand daughters ...'when are you all getting married; when are you all buying houses...' the girls will cheekily smile and allow this annual interrogation. After all he is the grand old man.
So, the teasing is accepted.
My brother feels bad for not being home; he being with his family in Melbourne. He compensates by face timing non-stop. But it is still different. He collaborated with my brother -in-law and together they have a mini reunion there.

The wonder of Whats app. You get everything free and easy. So my brothers have their gala time...the mini family unit. Even when you are away from the patriarch and matriarch you congregate at this time of reunion. Then you won't feel so out and lost and forgotten. You see, the family is unique. You do belong somewhere; don't you? So, the guilt is too great and he promises to be home for Chap Goh Mei instead !

The reunion dinner is never forgotten.

This year is slightly different for my immediate family because we girls make an unusual presence to the home of the oldies on this special evening. The Chinese home is traditional. Reunion dinners are to be spent with the son's family and the daughters go visit the 'niang chia' (materanl side) on the next day. It's not so approriate otherwise. For 30 years I diligently did that. So, I will cordially make a request for something different for my girls. I wonder if I can ask for an amicable compromise? Take turns? One year with us and the other with them? Othewise, papa and mama will have to spend that dinner alone ...
Maybe, maybe, maybe someone can contribute a better idea? Or come each reunion pa and ma will end up in a cruise, a holiday or outback in Australia? Some cultural practices need a relook?

Alright. I will remember Kong Kong's great advice; only consider important matters; the rest we let rigth values reign.Talk about differences, hahaha.

Happy New Year.