On February 1st, when everyone else was celebrating Chinese New Year, I had something to celebrate as well. The word "celebrate" makes me feel awkward because I should be remembering my grandfather's first death anniversary rather than celebrating.
I can't believe it's been a year since that day. I've been debating whether we should commemorate the day he left. My mother then explained that we needed to celebrate because it would be his first year in heaven.
My grandfather was the subject of one of my first hive blogs; I grew up with him and considered him to be my father. I was extremely close to him, and losing him was incredibly difficult for me to accept.
Finally, with no need for quarantine, I was able to take a leave of absence from work and book a ticket home. It will be my first trip in two years since the pandemic began. I was absolutely delighted to finally see my family.
What I expected to be a smooth sailing trip didn't take place because I was over bagged. I was 13 kilos over my limit and highly frustrated with myself, but the trip had to go on. I paid more, but I know my family will be pleased with what I brought with me.
The plane ride was only about an hour long. When we arrived, we were told to go to an office and submit our vaccination card and ID, as well as the exact address of where we were going. Everything went smoothly, and my aunt and cousins met me at the airport.
We stopped for breakfast and milk tea on the way home, which would take us about two hours by car.
When we arrived, my family greeted me with tight embraces, proving how much they missed me, and they were incredibly happy with everything I had bought for them, as expected.
After lunch, I go to the cemetery to see my grandfather and do some cleaning for his death anniversary. We had planned a small gathering to mark the anniversary of his death.
I spent nearly an hour there, lighting a candle, cleaning his space, and saying a small prayer.
That night, I went to see my high school friends, and we had a mini-reunion; they had been waiting for me to arrive as well. Seeing my high school friends makes me feel like I'm back in high school.
The next day, we went to the market to get the ingredients for the event as well as some groceries.
Then comes February 1st.
I got up early that day to go to the cemetery with my family to pray for my grandfather. Then return home to cook some food and make some preparations for the people who would be arriving later that day.
That day ended with full stomachs. My relatives and I talked about our memories of my grandfather and how he was when he was still with us.
It's been a year since his death, and I'm still missing him terribly. Memories and teachings from him will live on in my heart forever, and I know I now have an angel watching over me from above.
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