Perhaps time is the thing that makes each of us feel the most harsh when looking back. In the blink of an eye, children who were nine or ten years old suddenly became adults without realizing it. The old Mid-Autumn Festivals gradually faded away, remaining only in memory.
For the 7X, 8X or early 9X generations, the Mid-Autumn Festival in the eyes of children is very beautiful and extremely important. About a week before the Mid-Autumn Festival, every corner of the yard is filled with the bustling voices and laughter of children gathering to make lanterns. The "little artists" create countless types of lanterns: from star lanterns, carp lanterns, lanterns to lanterns strung with dried grapefruit seeds that pop and crackle very happily. Because it only happens once a year, parents are very supportive. Some fathers and mothers even spend time, staying up at noon to teach their children how to make lanterns. At that time, there were also a few types of lanterns for sale in stores, but everyone... ignored them. Partly because everyone wanted to make their own lantern to show off their "achievements" on the Mid-Autumn Festival night. Partly because the family was poor and did not dare ask their parents to buy one.
The Mid-Autumn Festival is also the night of the full moon, the biggest and brightest. The village road, which was usually quiet, suddenly became unusually bustling. From dusk, children called out to each other, holding lanterns, lighting candles, and beating drums. Starting from a small group, many groups merged into a long group and walked around the village together. One year, the Youth Union members in the village rented a lion head and were very happy. The "actors" in the lion dance team were selected from the strongest and most talented members. Every child loved it and wished to become an official member of the lion dance team. After following the lion dance team around the village, the children gathered in the yard to enjoy the feast together. The simple Mid-Autumn Festival feast was all homegrown, collected by each household. Some families contributed fruit, some contributed popcorn, rice, some contributed lemon candy... No one compared the pros and cons. Everyone just wanted their children to have fun on the Mid-Autumn Festival night.
Remembering the Mid-Autumn seasons with sudden rain, the moon hiding in the clouds, children standing in the house holding lanterns, absent-mindedly regretting. Waiting for the rain to stop, we had to sadly put away the lanterns and sit inside the house to enjoy the feast. Thanks to these special Mid-Autumn seasons, we have more memories with our family. The whole family sits together to eat fruit, drink tea, and eat cakes. Parents remind us of the old Mid-Autumn seasons. The family atmosphere is warm, filled with laughter. That moment was so wonderful until later when we grew up, in our dreams, we still see ourselves sitting in our parents' arms, smiling broadly, listening to the stories of Cuoi and Hang.
Nowadays, Mid-Autumn Festival comes very early, two or three months in advance. For children, every day feels like Mid-Autumn Festival. Children nowadays no longer eagerly receive the moon cakes that their parents buy for them. No one still sits in a corner of the porch and meticulously whittles bamboo strips to make Mid-Autumn lanterns… Therefore, the excitement of waiting for the Mid-Autumn Festival like children in the past seems to have faded a lot.
Growing up, I suddenly miss so many old Mid-Autumn seasons. I miss the moments with my friends making lanterns, carrying lanterns and singing loudly in the village and neighborhood. I miss the rainy Mid-Autumn Festivals sitting together with my family, in the loving arms of my parents. That moment is endless happiness, perhaps I can search for it all my life and never have it.
Article: Cao Thom
Illustration: TL
