On Family Day 2014, I was driving my family (mom, dad and sister) to the Vancouver Airport to catch a plane back to China. I remembered it was ironic that I sent my family away across the Pacific Ocean on family day. Mom had been living in Victoria since September 2013; shortly after when Serena was born. Dad and sister came to celebrate Chinese New Year together in Canada. It was Serena’s first CNY.
On Family Day 2015, we were either flying to China or already in China for Chinese New Year. It was Serena’s first trip to China.
This year, in 2016, Family Day falls on the first day of the Year of Monkey.
I love Family Day. It’s nice to have a holiday between January and February to take time off from work to connect with family. Mom is here this year. I like having her around. I feel like I’m the only one who gets her and understands her craziness. I’m a little worried when her arthritis gets worse and has to go through the health system here. I’ll have to take her to appointments and translate everything for her. That’s a huge responsibility. I think we will be okay though.
Later in the afternoon, we went on a family walk to the Summit Park. Anya made yummy fried rice using some of the leftovers from the Chinese New Year’s Eve dinner the night before at mom’s house. My father-in-law made excellent spicy pork. It was a nice and mellow night together with family. I love my family.
