After Mum passed away a few years ago, I thought I would never find excitement in the Chinese New Year festivities again. I was depressed. I felt lonesome. Somehow, it was different without the ritual of waking up early in the morning, putting on new clothes and wishing longevity and prosperity to the elders in the family, In the subsequent years, I made a conscious effort to not herald in the new spring.
It is going to be different this year. I can feel it. I am actually looking forward to February. All the credit goes to Wuan for turning this around for me. She made me buy new clothes for the occasion. Soon, the house is going to be awashed with new year décor. She has also been buying traditional cookies like kuih bangkit and kuih kapit. It is difficult not to be infected with the mood with all these happening around me.
