The Chinese Man

 They came from their land of birth; resided in their new place; established families and made homes.

But they never forget they originated from a certain clan and they make effort to meet and benefit society in big and small ways.

So my father is a son of the Chong Clan; he never forgets that.

Every year they still contact him and ask for his contribution to society; mostly monetary terms to benefit the less fortunate by providing scholarships to the needy and schools.

 My mother has been pestering for many weeks. That we should make a trip to see the grand old man hit the gong. It was difficult to disappoint them; so we drove through thick traffic to reach the town in a time never done before; 4 hours. On ordinary days; a two hour drive is the norm.

What does one feel on an evening like this? There was much noise; it happens when Chinese people gather together. Noise is equivalent to all things right and good; you will see what I mean when you attend a typical one.

 You are entertained by many singers; karaoke ones. This time around a competition was held; you may think you are listening to the "Voice". So we chased the wild goose trying to guess the winner.

 But it was fun to be entertained by them.

 So, my father probably the most senior of them all sat around his comrades and talked about what I do not know; it must be the nostalgia of belonging to the same lineage.

 Soon, the stage is ready for the opening; the clanging of the gong started it all; my father hit it! I am behaving like an excited little girl but that's how I feel whenever I am around him.

 Then it was time to give away souvenirs and benefits to people; in particular schools. The chairman openly said that one is to live with meaning and integrity. To give to society and mankind is but part of a meaningful existence. He gives words of encouragement and blessings and persistently wished everyone good health, happiness and family joy. Here he is seen on the extreme left. He has a good countenance and I remember him as a neighbour when I was young. He used to be a vendor in a bazaar and was a hard worker. Mama told me he is a man of strong integrity and though he did not go for tertiary education he has values in life that put many to shame. Today his sons are medical practitioners and his daughters reside in America. He takes pains to organise evenings like these and strongly pass down the message of love, benevolence and givings. He is a good man. He always remembers my father and ropes in him; he is truly a good son of the Chong Clan; a good citizen of Malaysia.

 So, my father brought this home; a token to thank him. 

May it be a next time for the years to come.

 Typical in Chinese dinners I observe is the pouring of liquor may it black or white; the incessant topping up is a symbol of wealth and 'manners'? perhaps?

At the end of the evening, the final dish was the glutinous rice balls sweet.

The Chinese remember that the next day is the festival of the winter solstice; the festival before the Lunar New Year of the rooster.

Before I left Muar this morning, the market was full of hustle and bustle with the local crowd preparing the glutinous rice balls for the family; everyone in a Chinese home is a year older from today.

Happy Winter Solstice Festival.