We used to think festivals were the one time of year when people could forget their burdens for a while. Chinese New Year, Hari Raya, Kaamatan, Christmas, and Deepavali each came with their own colours, sounds, scents, and traditions. Yet all of them offered the same quiet gift.
They gave people space to breathe. For a few days, the weight of everyday life seemed lighter. Homes felt warmer, tables looked fuller, and hearts carried a little less worry.
But that is harder to say now. This year, celebration feels heavy.
During Chinese New Year, something as simple as a RM5 angpao seemed to capture a feeling many people already know but rarely say out loud.
Advertisement
