Clear and Bright Festival, Qing Ming/Ching Ming

Its called Tết Thanh Minh festival in Vietnam and is a public holiday in China, Taiwan and HK. It falls on the 104th day after the winter solstice or the 15th day from the Spring Equinox, usually occuring around April 5th of the Gregorian calender and on April 4th on every leap year. Such is the accuracy of the lunar calender that many Chinese around the world can make plans way ahead to go back home to honor one's ancestors and tend to the graves of their dearly departed ones. In Korea, a similiar festival is held called Hansik It is also thus known as Grave Sweeping Day or Chinese Memorial Day or Tomb Sweeping Day in the multiple chinese dialects. Sometimes it is referred to All Souls Day in the english dailies in China. For the non Christian Chinese, it is when the young and old gather together and pray before the ancestors, sweep the tombs and offer food, tea, wine, joss papers. Some take it as a day picnic when after cleaning the graves, eat together with their ancestors/dearly departed ones. In China, a popular activity is to fly kites. This year, i did my duties as before, except that with a heavy heart because a loved one can no longer do his duty as before. Your mind goes back to the last festival and the wishes and thoughts that were spoken and shared. It will never be the same again. Love and to cherish your loved ones before they leave for the other world. Once death comes, there is only loneliness and emptiness. There is in fact a popular ancient chinese poem that i think reflects my thoughts last week: 清明时节雨纷纷 (A drizzling rain falls like tears on the Mourning Day) 路上行人欲断魂 (The mourner's heart is breaking on his way) 借问酒家何处有 (Where can a hostel be found to drown his sadness) 牧童遥指杏花村 ( A cowherd points to Xing Hua village in the distance)