By: Allan

The Chinese New Year, an event that is celebrated every 25th of January. It is a special day to every Chinese and Chinese descent. During this day the Chinese celebrates their culture and mingle with their family and relatives. The event is never complete without food, fireworks and the family that is the most important part of the celebration.

Peter Li is a Filipino-Chinese whose lineage can be traced to Sichuan, China. His grandparents left China during the Chinese Civil War during 1945 as hostilities escalated. The conflict was participated by the Chinese Communists and the Democratic Nationalist Kuomintang. Since the conflict his grandparents were not able to visit China.

Despite of his wage as an assistant C.E.O. of a Filipino-Chinese firm in the country. His grandparents did not request at least from him to visit China. He know that he could take them there any time but his grandparents always refuse him every time he initiated to take them there for a visit.

He decided to take a three day off which he intended for the Chinese New year. Peter may not be able to take his grandparents to China but at least he could give them an experience of celebrating the event at home. This is the least he could do after being taken care during his childhood when his parents were away for work. He would wish to express his gratitude to his grandparents for taking care of him.

His grandparents were Yang Li, his grandfather and Ming Li, his grandmother. Their wedding anniversary also happen to coincide with the Chinese New Year. He realized that he had to make the event special. It must be done in a special place, people and time. After looking for places to celebrate the event. Peter Li decided to host it in his house. Nothing beats the ambiance of home and the company of relatives who were close.

Peter Li buried himself in his studies and research of his Chinese roots and culture. He took notes of the taboos and superstitions. He was careful for he knows that the Chinese from the mainland have their set of beliefs. Days has passed and Peter has still retreated to his books. He spent a great deal of study about Sichuan food and practices during the Chinese New year.

One afternoon Peter fell asleep during his study. His wife found him in table and smiled at him for his dedication. She tried to budge her husband but he looks to tired so she gave him a kiss at his cheek and left his tea in front of his table. The aroma of the tea woke Peter up. He then takes a sip from it and thought of an idea. “Tea is an important part during the celebration!” He said and pondered that he may have made overly prepared himself for the event.

He realized finally why his grandparents refused him when he tried to offer them a trip to China. Peter did not need to make them experience their home but of their new home as well. It is not important to give them the most authentic and exquisite experience. What matters is the thought and the heart.

Peter Li who was confident and revitalized stood up from his desk with a smile in his face. He looks at the view outside of his house through his window and knows what to do with the celebrations. He will have to make it homely at the same time refined for his grandparent’s taste.

The day has finally come, Peter stands in front of his house and waits for his grandparents to arrive. His wife looks at him attentively as his eager smile made her happy. It has been five years since the last time he saw his grandparents. He was the favorite child of the four siblings by his grandmother and was also close to his grandfather as well.

Five minutes in waiting Peter saw a red car, it was a Toyota Corolla driven by his grandfather. Despite being old at 75 his grandfather is healthy and active which holds the same to his grandmother at the age of 73. After parking their car Peter met his grandparents in the front of their house. He exchanged greetings with his grandfather while his grandmother gave him a hug.

Peter escorted his grandparents with his wife inside their house. When they went inside his grandparents were overwhelmed with the surprise they saw. Everything is well prepared and the ambiance of his house felt similar but at the same time homely which reminds them of home.

The house was very clean and the decorations were that of what you usually see during the Chinese New Year celebrations. Traditional Sichuan food was served and the tea as well. Peter’s grandparents were overwhelmed with joy and were grateful for him of the experience.

Peter approached his grandparents and gave them a gift. “Gong Xi Fa Cai!” He said and congratulated them about their wedding anniversary as well. The two replied with their loving grandchild and thanked him with tears in their eyes. He never knew how much he made them happy that night.

It was the happiest and the most memorable Chinese New Year that Peter Li and his family experienced. It was on the 25th of January, 1995.

A/N: This is just an amateur work. This story may not be copied without my consent thank you!