Chasing Spring Festival
From 1964, when I left home for my university study, to the miserable year of 2000, when my mother passed away, it has been 36 years. During this period, I experienced lots of political tumult, and traveled to dozens of cities at home and abroad. However, I only spent 4 Spring Festivals away from home. For the other 32, no matter how hard the journeys were, I, together with my family, would rush to my hometown to accompany my old mother celebrating the festivals.(1)
I have an elder brother who is 15 years older than I. He left home for college study and then for medical work. He set up a small family in remote Yun Gui plateau. Since my father died too early, he had to support us at the very beginning of his career life. Of course, such heavy financial burden afflicted him a lot and always made him have no budget to travel. More over, for the busy nature of medical workers, they all were extremely fussy in the wintertime around the festival. Therefore, he always got no chance to go back hometown.
Beside my elder brother, I also have 3 sisters. They all got married and living nearby my mother’s residence.
Whatever festivals coming, they were begging mother to go to their home to stay several days. “I have sons why should I stay in son-in-law’s home?” said my mother firmly, “Who will offer sacrifice to our ancestors after my leaving?”. She was too dedicated to shake her decision. My sisters had no way, but gave up.
My mother suffered from bronchitis at age of 50. Since then, coughing, panting all night long made her never get a sound sleep. In winter time, she was really struggling against ghost every day.
In this case, my sisters had to go to my mother’s house and to accompany her on duty. However, they got some trouble in Spring Festival. It is our local custom, that married daughter should not stay in parents’ home. Besides, they all played key roles in their own families. There is saying in our hometown, “Dozens chores need to be done, Festival Eve is busy time.” [s:48] 看看 慢慢看哦 [s:4] [s:4] [s:4] [s:30] [s:31]
页:
[1]