This year's Qing Ming (similar to the Catholic's All Souls Day) fell on 4th April 2009. For Chinese, this is the time when family members gather together to clean and pray at the tomb of their ancestors. The usual practice is to visit the tomb 10 days before or after 4th April.
For my family, it's a day of love and respect. Our young nieces and nephews join the adults in the family to pay respects at my late father and grandparents gravesites. We offered prayers by burning joss sticks, lighting up candles and burning offerings made of papers. We shared stories of our Dad and grandparents with the children. Reminding them how our ancestors had brought us up with care and joy, despite the hardship that they had to go through.
I would like to dedicate today's posting to my dear aunt, the eldest sister of my mom. She passed away peacefully yesterday in Melaka after suffering for a few months from the pain of stomach cancer. I wish her a good journey ahead and may she has a good rebirth. May she be well and happy always. We are going to miss you, aunt.
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My last year's posting for Qing Ming: Remembering the Departed
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