Welcoming the Year of the Ox in the Middle of the Pandemic In Canada

It was exactly last year around the same time when the COVID 19 virus starting affecting the lives of the western world.

I remember writing a blog post while celebrating the Chinese New Year and enjoying a lion dance perfomred by a group of lion dancers in a Chinese restaurant. Never in my wildest dream would I have imagined that we are going into the second year of the pandemic in 2021. Depsite the stay home order placed in Ontario, our family tried our best to continue the tradition as muc as possible. Unforunataely, under the weather last week. I could not cook up a storm for the New year dinner. Sneezing and coughing a lot throughout the day, spent most of day lying in bed, resting and watching TV. I felt bad that my husband would not have a good dinner on new year day.

To my surprise my sister and a friend from church brought me various dishes on New year eve. As we were enjoying the food on New Year day. I was enveloped by a lot of love and a warm feeling swelt within me. I was grateful that we have caring and loving family and friends who remembered me, showed their love by bringing us food they prepared with love. It was a fantastic feeling! We also arranged to have zoom calls and dinners together. Our church groups helh online celebratons, sang play games and shared traditions and customs.

Our women's group even held a new year virutal fashio show. After cooping at home in our lounge wear for almost a year, it was fun dressing up, putting on our heels and posted for pictures with pretty clothes.

After a week of rest and feeling better, I got up yesterday and cooked up a storm for my loved ones. I delivered a new year meal to my needy relatives, and gave the kids their red pocket lucky money. Tonight, We had a nice long distance call with our first born who has gotten a nice new job and is now looking for a new place to live. We exchnaged news sharing a couple of jokes and good laugh. We carried on our lunar new year traditions, visiting loved ones and sharing food together (virtually), pandemic or not!

R.T. Toronto, Canada