A friend from my hometown recently went back there for a visit. Last night, I asked if she had seen my family yet. She said not yet, but that they had made plans to meet over the weekend.
I told her how much I missed my family.
She gave me several hugs.
That night, I had a dream.
I dreamed of Mom.
In the dream, I had gone home for lunch. Afterward, Mom rode her bicycle to take me back to work.
I sat on the back of her bicycle, lifting my feet up and letting them down again, carefree and happy.
Then suddenly, it struck me: Mom was already so old. How could I let her carry me on her bicycle?
I jumped off, threw my arms around her, and began to cry.
“Mom, I can go to work by myself. You don’t have to take me.”
Mom looked at me as if to say, “Look at you. Look at you. What’s all this about?”
I woke up crying.
In the morning, I sat at the breakfast table, tears silently rolling down my face.
My husband handed me a tissue.
It is very cold today.
I asked my husband, “When do we send winter clothes?”
“On the Cold Clothes Festival,” he said.
I looked it up.
The Cold Clothes Festival is on October 25.
Six more days.
Note: The Cold Clothes Festival (Hanyi Festival) is a traditional Chinese day of remembrance when families honor deceased loved ones, traditionally by sending symbolic winter clothing to keep them warm as the cold season approaches.
