I can’t remember the last time I celebrated Lantern Festival. It must have been when I was still in primary school. I remember lighting candles along the length of our balcony with my sisters. I remember we got a little bored because it was just the three of us. I remember we never did it again. I don’t remember the last time I had a lantern – or what shape it was.
This year, I had a dragon lantern with a movable head. My colleagues/friends and I lit candles. We walked around the neighbourhood. We went to a nearby playground and pretended we were kids again. We went on the slides – many times. We went on the swings. We went on the see-saw. We played limbo rock. We were a group of adults in our 20s playing our hearts out. It was fantastic.
I’m so glad I have colleagues/friends who are not afraid to take off their shoes and wander around barefoot. Who are not afraid to get on the slides with me. Who are not afraid to push off the ground as hard as they can to see how high they can swing. Everybody should get to be a kid once in a while. Even if it means the other (real) neighbourhood kids stare at you.
This year, I celebrated Lantern Festival. I will always remember my dragon lantern. And the people who made the night special. We might even do it again next year. Let’s.
(Photos courtesy of Sherelyn.)
