A few days ago, Bernice and I were at the supermarket. At this time of year, Chinese New Year music was playing, and suddenly I was gripped with melancholy. I thought of the many Chinese New Year family gatherings we used to have in our family home in Penang. Those were happy times when the whole family gathered with much laughter. In more recent years, when dad had passed on and only mom was left, the reunions became even more precious. Every year, a group from her church would come to visit mum, singing Chinese New Year songs and wishing her happy Chinese New Year. They would sing with gusto such Chinese New Year favorites as:
Gōng xǐ, gōng xǐ, gōng xǐ nǐ ya! (Congratulations to you!)
When mom walked further into her journey of dementia, the loud renditions of Gōng xǐ, gōng xǐ, gōng xǐ nǐ ya would probably have startled her more than cheered her up. Still, mum always provided a great lunch spread for the visitors. I have warm memories of her church members eating happily and chatting. When I recall those memories, they are now tinged with sadness. Mom has since gone back to the Lord. There would no longer be these happy Chinese New Year reunions.
I really liked Kam Weng’s recent article on how different generations may respond to the coming of Chinese New Year. Here he writes about how seniors may respond to reminders of the coming of the new year.
However, these greetings and celebrations can evoke nostalgia and quiet melancholy in some older people. They cannot deny the fatigue that accompanies the fading vitality of their advancing years. Scripture captures this poignantly:
Someday the light of the sun and the moon and the stars will all seem dim to you. Rain clouds will remain over your head. Your body will grow feeble, your teeth will decay, and your eyesight fail. — Ecclesiastes 12:2–3 (CEV)
Ironically, the exuberance of New Year festivity [sic] may heighten this melancholy for some older folks as they welcome the Year of the Horse with dim eyes.
How should I respond to this melancholy? First, I want to thank God that we did have those good times. Many did not. Much of the melancholy is an indication that those were good times.
Next, memories of the good times are not just a reminder of things that happened in the past. Those good times are also a foretaste of what is to come. Every Chinese New Year draws us closer to that wondrous reunion dinner with Jesus and our loved ones in the life to come. Beyond the melancholy of our memories, we look back with thanksgiving and look forward with anticipation.
Warmest Lunar New Year greetings to all who are celebrating.