This is my first Spring Festival in Durham and far away from my family. I appreciate my professor for inviting me for New Year’s Eve dinner.
She has two twin daughters. Forgive me for being unable to describe their loveliness in words. They are Chinese and Spanish. They can’t write Chinese characters yet, but they were quite talented and very happy when I handed them writing “福”, which is one of our Spring Festival traditions. It’s pretty meaningful.
We had dinner together and it’s just like with my own family members. At different places with different people, I had the same happiness on the same date.
Some questions for you
I seem to have forgotten how I spent the Spring Festival last year in China. For you, could you recall the experience of the previous Christmas? I have asked many people and their answers are always No.
Why this happens?
When we become accustomed to some objects, such as every day’s goodnight kiss or every year’s birthday party, we tend to form an illusion. We would believe they ought to be like this and forget to be grateful for them.
Until one day we lose them, we found out that they are not supposed to be like this, but there are some people who are willing to maintain this for you with their love in silence.
Why should we feel grateful?
When people are hopelessly lost, they will feel satisfied with common happiness, we only miss the sun when it starts to snow. Just like we cannot remember the previous festival, these moments will be utterly forgotten without gratitude.
I hope I can start my daily life with a grateful heart and bring happiness to others every day. I found that when I face others with a smile, gradually they always reply to me with a smile too. That’s why I joined the Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA) and try to help more people.
Hence, I have more real friends. They show me the way when I am lost and give me spiritual comfort when I am in pain. These are all gratitude brought to me.
Best wishes to you
We should always be grateful, not for these special festivals, but for those people who are willing to make ordinary days special. May the people you love always be with you. May you find your own happiness.
At last, Happy New Year! To those who knew me imperfect and loved me and to lovely strangers ?
Discover more
Find out more about CSSA here
Saturday 5 February – Events at Durham Town Hall start at 10:45 am. Chinese lion dance procession in Millennium Place at 12:30 pm.
Much more is happening across the city – find out more here
