Sober
So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. - 1 Thessalonians 5:6
In contrast with Cindy's very happy post on pre-CNY celebrations, in contrast the few days before my CNY has been very sobering.
This week has been one heckuva a week. Inevitably, my centre has been receiving donations of all kinds for our clients. Money, vouchers, more vouchers, CNY goodies. And I've been receiving gifts from my clients. Oranges, kueh lapis, achar, chocolate roll.
In the process of giving out the donations and seeing clients, I'd ask what plans they have for Chinese New Year. Sometimes, it's small talk, sometimes it's because I'd like for them to make some reconnections with family.
But as I go along, I realise that our Chinese traditional ideals of 团圆饭 often are just that, ideals. They are ideals that we would like to have if we could, and they only exist perfectly in a perfect world. Often, there isn't perfection, which is why we have ideals.
For every pineapple tart I eat, I now know that there are a million families out there who will not be able to afford them.
For every piece of bakwa I eat, I now must remember that it costs $43 per kg, $2 less than the monthly Pocket Money I disburse for a primary school student.
For the reunion dinners I go to, I have to keep in mind that there are many out there who will not revisit their families, who have no families to return to, or who have no joy to savour when they do. And for many families, reunion dinner may not be much more than rice, fried eggs and a can of sardines. And for many, they may not have home to return to.
_______
And so for those of you whose Chinese New Year will be a simple affair, may you find contentment in that.
For those who will choose not to revisit your family, may you find courage to put down what has happened in the past and may there be harmony.
For those of you who have no idea where your family is, I pray that the re-connection will take place soon. And I hope I can be a part of that process.
For those of you who have no home to return to, may your home be where you find security for your heart. And I pray it will be under the arms of Christ.
For myself, may this remind me of what my life is. A vapour.
In contrast with Cindy's very happy post on pre-CNY celebrations, in contrast the few days before my CNY has been very sobering.
This week has been one heckuva a week. Inevitably, my centre has been receiving donations of all kinds for our clients. Money, vouchers, more vouchers, CNY goodies. And I've been receiving gifts from my clients. Oranges, kueh lapis, achar, chocolate roll.
In the process of giving out the donations and seeing clients, I'd ask what plans they have for Chinese New Year. Sometimes, it's small talk, sometimes it's because I'd like for them to make some reconnections with family.But as I go along, I realise that our Chinese traditional ideals of 团圆饭 often are just that, ideals. They are ideals that we would like to have if we could, and they only exist perfectly in a perfect world. Often, there isn't perfection, which is why we have ideals.
For every pineapple tart I eat, I now know that there are a million families out there who will not be able to afford them.
For every piece of bakwa I eat, I now must remember that it costs $43 per kg, $2 less than the monthly Pocket Money I disburse for a primary school student.
For the reunion dinners I go to, I have to keep in mind that there are many out there who will not revisit their families, who have no families to return to, or who have no joy to savour when they do. And for many families, reunion dinner may not be much more than rice, fried eggs and a can of sardines. And for many, they may not have home to return to.
_______
And so for those of you whose Chinese New Year will be a simple affair, may you find contentment in that.
For those who will choose not to revisit your family, may you find courage to put down what has happened in the past and may there be harmony.
For those of you who have no idea where your family is, I pray that the re-connection will take place soon. And I hope I can be a part of that process.
For those of you who have no home to return to, may your home be where you find security for your heart. And I pray it will be under the arms of Christ.
For myself, may this remind me of what my life is. A vapour.
0 comments:
Post a Comment