At the thought of the Mid-Autumn Festival, here are the images that I conjure up… A big, shiny full moon hangs perfectly in the sky while the entire family sits out on the porch, eating moon cakes of all flavors. Granny sits on an aged bamboo wicker chair, telling the kids how Chang’E flew to the moon and became a goddess, leaving her husband Hou Yi all alone on earth.
That, is the thousand-year old tale of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Though a beautiful story, it’s also one about parting and solitude. A grave thought came into my head: perhaps the Mid-Autumn Festival is also more about parting than being together? After all, in this time of age, how many of us can say that we spend each holiday with our family and loved ones, especially when most of our families are thousands of miles away, some on the other side of the earth?
I was talking to my mother-in-law the day before the festival day.
“I’m a bit scared of holidays like these,” she said, “it’s good that I get off from work for a couple days, but the free time on my hands just reminds me of how others are spending time together happily with their families, yet my son and daughter are not here with me. I so wish you’re here with me!”
“I understand,” I consoled, “I was also scared of holidays because ever since a child my parents never celebrated anything. I used to be jealous of the other kids who get gifts and have decorations up in their houses.”
“Xiao, I hope that we will be together soon!”
“Yes, I hope so too!”
To cheer her up, I sent her a picture of the lotus seed paste and egg yolk moon cakes that I bought for my husband. I have not yet met my mother-in-law. But since I got married, we’ve been talking everyday, either on Weixin or QQ. I feel like we’re truly family.
After talking with her, though, I thought of my own parents, and became sad, for I have not contacted them as often as I probably should have. There are also a few issues between us that I’ve yet to resolve. Nevertheless, I took out my phone and sent them a “Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!” message. They did not reply, but I was content that at least I did my part. After all, I miss them. I hope they were with me. Though in vain, hoping doesn’t hurt.
On the day of the festival, I prepared steak for dinner (yes, a rather untraditional Chinese meal) and had moon cakes for dessert. We were so busy eating that we forgot to gaze at the moon and whip out a couple of poetic lines like the venerable Chinese poet Li Bai would, but I was happy. My husband is the only family I’ve got here in the bustling city of New York. I’m glad he could at least be here. It’s also the first time it hit me—we’re family. What did I think he was before? Well my partner obviously, but in a date-for-life, Romeo guy sort of way…
“Hey, let’s take a moon cake to Jin!” His voice broke up my thoughts.
Jin is a friend of ours who lives really close by.
“Okay! But you’re reimbursing me for the moon cake?” I joked.
Now that I reflect upon it, I still think that the festival is more about parting than being together. But the thought of our loved ones far away from us, and the thought to cherish them, is more important than anything else. Though we may be far apart, our hearts can still be connected, and that bond can never be broken.