Sta editorial

Every day, a celebration

Except Christmas, Thanksgiving, birthdays and everything else

ALEXANDER FU

opinions editor | @alexlfu

My dad once told me at the dinner table that the reason why we eat together is so the last person is forced to finish all the food. It’s not because we are a family, nor is it to give thanks to that hippie in heaven. “You’re a real family man, Dad,” I wanted to say. With Thanksgiving behind us, I don’t really have stories to telI anyone, as we do not celebrate holidays or birthdays in my home. At most, my celebrations amount to a dinner out at some restaurant. This also applies to Christmas, to New Year’s — even Chinese New Year’s — and birthdays. My family and I stopped celebrating these holidays a long time ago, and, for the most part, nothing changes. However, I do not think I miss out compared to the livelier families in the world.

When people first hear this odd omission from my life, they have an expression on their faces that screams, “What is your life?” It’s an amusing question, but it stimulates my thoughts on this “issue” with my whole family. Why is it that I would rather spend the day surfing the web and watching anime than buying someone a present or participating in a gathering with those close to me? Why is it that my family treats these days as little more than an excuse to eat out at the same few restaurants? My response would usually be something like: why do you have to save these celebratory activities for a single day?

If someone in my house wants something, we either buy it ourselves or ask our mom and dad. At this point, my sister and I have both amassed money from our jobs and relatives’ gifts, so everything we would make wishlists for as kids could arrive at our doorstep today — well, as fast as Amazon Prime shipping will allow. If someone spontaneously wants to celebrate the most ordinary day in the most uneventful week, we either order Bread Co. or drive to a Chinese restaurant. These activities may not qualify as alternatives to typical holiday festivities, but upon reflection, I believe one of the reasons big celebrations don’t really take place in my home is because my family has no need to celebrate them.

When my mom comes home from work, her next hour consists of time in the kitchen. She is a great cook, and she values variety every day, so each dinner consists of di erent dishes. She calls me when dinner is ready, and I rush downstairs where my parents, a steaming bowl of white rice, a pair of chopsticks and at least two dishes await me every day, without fail. Many households, regardless of their circumstances, may not share this daily occurrence. I know that some might consider a dinner involving at least two parents and their kids rare except for important occasions. If that is the case, am I not celebrating the mundane with my family every night?

I think of my celebrations as being unrestricted by any one day. My family is by no means perfect. Besides dinner, we typically shut ourselves away in our own worlds, but ultimately, we always save time to eat together, which is something I can say I am rather thankful for.