Lunar New Year! 何谓 拜年

In the blink of an eye, two days of Lunar New Year had gone by and it's the third day today.... goodnesss gracious, time really passes us by.......It is more evident when I noticed how fast my little nephews and nieces have grown....Cradling in their parents' arms last year and this year, can walk and the occasional "mumbling and uttering"......

In particular , I noted that some of the younger ones seemed to have changed -and for the better... a nephew in his teens (same name as the famous cookies ) who used to be rather reticient in our presence, actually "open up" and joked with us and the elders.....Wow!

Also, one of my favourite pairs of nephews gladly posed for me when I wanted to take a photo of them....... Last year, it took some effort for me to coax them.......


My papa is most happy when it comes to Lunar New Year...he as usual being observant and also meticulous in his quiet ways, would gently remind me to get ready the Ang Bao money for him, prepare the new year goodies, put up decorative items around the house.........come the first day of Lunar New Year, he would be up early to wait for his bunch of nieces and nephews to come and 拜年.........

I treasure such gatherings as it serves as a good platform for everyone to get together to catch up... However, sometimes, I do wonder how long the tradition of going to our relatives' places to 拜年 will last... especially after the passing of the older generation.... The elders serve as a critical link to bind the younger generations together ..............I guess, it is all up to us, to make a commitment to keep the tradition going...... and reflect.何谓 拜年..........