Today is the 2nd time the kids participated in ‘Qing Ming’, a time to remember those who have gone, a time to burn paper money and offer incense at the place where their great-grandparent’s ashes lay.

This time was much better than the first, not as crowded, cos the one month festive is almost over. The highlights of this year’s visit:-

  • Binbin was caught stroking every urn that was within his reach. “No, no, no, Cannot.” exclaimed my MIL. Immediately she helped my 4 year old to apologise to the spirits “Sorry, he is young and ignorant, I apologise if he had disturbed you.”
  • Keatkeat was so excited to see a paper space wagon which one family bought for the deceased. He was so eager to have a closer look, he stood so near, he looked like one of their family member. *laugh* “Mommy, who will drive the car? He has driving license?” *laugh* “Maybe. You might want to ask them yourself?” So far this is the best way for me to answer questions that I errrrmmm… prefer not to go into too much detail for their age.
  • My eldest niece was more unwilling this year than last. She couldn’t stand the smoke from the incense and the heat which was very much supported by the Sun as well.
  • Children everywhere were complaining, “Can we go yet? Very hot! Why are we still here? Can we stop doing this already?”

Though I do not hold an incense nor do I support whatever that goes on during such times, I still respect the devotion the family has towards those who have passed on.

However with the response from the new generation, I have a feeling that such traditions will soon die off…..