What Lunar New Year Means To Me

When I was a little girl, my Grandpa lived in Hong Kong for about a year as part of his job. My Grandpa loved to travel, and I know which countries held special places in his heart. His time in Hong Kong had a significant impact on him; I know how much he immersed himself in the language and culture. He would tell me stories of adventures with his co-workers, and he once tried to explain the different dialects of Chinese language. I was taught early on to travel while I'm young ... my Grandpa went beyond that and taught me to travel with purpose, to appreciate the beauty and all that the countries have to offer.

Before he passed, he taught me to say "Gung hay fat choy", a traditional Cantonese greeting for the New Year. It wasn't until after he passed, however, that I learned we shared a special connection - we were both born in the year of the Rooster. I don't know what his views on Western Astrology were, but he collected coins, and he had both a Gemini coin and a Rooster coin.

He never got to meet my son. He never got to meet my husband, either. It still breaks my heart because I knew he would've loved both of them, and I think they would've loved him, too. My Grandpa was like a second father to me; we used to have monthly phone calls, chatting for over an hour every time. A person with so much significance in one's life, I believe, should be honoured.

Before my son was born, I bought a few books for kids about the Lunar New Year. I know he's too little (not yet 2) to understand, but it brings me comfort reading those books to him. As he gets older, I have hopes for making celebrations a yearly tradition for our family of three.

* I want to make traditional Chinese cuisine

*I want to wear red and learn why it's a lucky colour

*I want to clean the house and have a fresh start

We are not a Chinese family; I celebrate and teach with that understanding. I don't treat the Lunar or Chinese New Year as a fad. I'm not buying a bunch of Horse things because it's trendy this year. I just want to learn more, and I want to do more - to learn about other cultural celebrations around the world and their significance; to foster a household of growth; to inspire my son to travel with purpose one day.

Thank you, Grandpa, for your wisdom and passion. May I pass these onto my son so that your beautiful legacy continues. Gung hay fat choy.

June 12th 1945 - November 29th 2019