Qingming Festival (Tomb Sweeping Day)

Tomb Sweeping Day

It is interesting moving to a new country and slowly not celebrating the holidays you celebrated at home (but always reminded about them when logging onto social media) and celebrating/enjoying the holidays in your new country of residence.

Today, Friday April 5, 2019 is Tomb Sweeping Day  – a day off holiday in China where you honor those who have come before you! It is one of the most important Chinese festivals and traditions. Many people travel to their hometowns to spend time with their families, clean the graves of their loved ones, and honor all those who have passed on.

I enjoyed the day off (who doesn’t enjoy a day off from work???). I started my day with a run (l run most days, but wanted to still accomplish this) and spent the day at the spa with some friends. I took some time to pray, and give thanks for all those who have come before me. I have been blessed to have had amazing people in my life! They have all made an impact on the person who I am today, so it was definitely nice to have a day set aside to remember them and honor them.

Daddy- I love you! Thank you for everything. All the things. You changed my life.

Cathy- I will never forget how you believed in me when I first started learning sign language and wanted to be an interpreter at ALCF. You changed my life 

The list could go on of all those I honor and am thankful for … but nothing like a father’s love and that of a mentor.

I hope you can give thanks for those who have come before you – and give thanks to those who are still here! Let’s give our people their flowers while they are still alive.

Have a great weekend… if you are reading this on the weekend. Its Friday night in Shanghai and Friday morning PST/CST/EST in USA.

#ChinaLiving #TombSweepingDay #Qingming #Traditions #Festivals #Ancestors #Spring #Trees #Family #Travel #qingmingjie #holiday #travel #meditate #honorthosewhocamebeforeyou #bethankful 

#FearlessinShanghai #Thankful #joychangeslives #KMarieTakesChina #BlackGirlMagic #KarlaGirlLivingLife #BlackGirlJoy #LivingMyLifeLikeItsGolden #ChinaorBust #ChinaAintReady #BlackInShanghai #BlackInChina #BlackAmericanInChina #LookOutWorldHereComesKarla  #KarlaGirlJoy #BlackGirlInShanghai #eatsleeppartyrepeat #givingisgood #givingisfun #WakandaForever #ShuriAndNakiaAndOkoye #MelaninMagic #Blessed #FaithfulIsMyGod

“life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all”  – Hellen Keller

*I choose ADVENTURE

Know This: Pain doesn’t make you weak. It makes you strong … and loss makes you appreciate so much! Appreciate and bask in your strength. I remember my Great- Grandmother telling me one day, “I’m just thankful I can feel my pain – it’s when you can’t feel ya’ pain that ya’ need to worry.” I didn’t understand this as a child, but I understand it now.

For some reason the song won’t post, but I wanted to share with you all:

FLOWERS– India Arie  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-iqmElqI2I