Just when I thought Chinese New Year is boring and typical, this year's visit to relatives' places gave me a lesson and something that I'm ashamed of.
It was actually Day 2 of Chinese New Year and it has always been a tradition to go to my maternal grandparents' house for visiting. When my grandmother saw my younger brother and me, she cried.
That was when it struck me.
When was the last time I visited her? I can still remember vividly that when we were in primary/secondary school, my dad would fetch us to our grandmothers' house during June and December holidays every single day.
I remembered watching Pokemon on Kids Central, while my grandmother cooked porridge for us. During my polytechnic days, the visits became lesser; from daily to weekly.
During my National Service days, it was worse. I was either partying, or went out with my friends every weekend. My visits became from bi-monthly to at times, 3-4 months once. I remembered my grandma tearing when she learnt I was heading to overseas 9 weeks for military purposes.
Come to think of it, I'm truly ashamed of myself. The house which I grew up in, the fridge was always filled with soft drinks when my grandparents know we're coming. Why does it feel so distant now?
At times we as youngsters have many dreams and commitments to fulfill, we tend to neglect our parents and grandparents, and that we forget that as we're growing, they're growing old.
This visit really affected me a lot, and I made a promise to myself to visit my grandparents whenever I have the chance.
Ah ma and ah kong, I'm sorry. But I promise to come back often.
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