The Jing Mei calendar has been a significant part of many Chinese-American families for generations. For me, it was a symbol of tradition and culture that connected me to my mother and her heritage. As I sat in the living room of my family friends, the Hsus', surrounded by the familiar scent of greasy odors, I couldn't help but think about how much had changed since my last visit.

The calendar itself is a simple affair, with its rows of intricately painted characters and subtle designs that reflect the changing seasons. But for many Chinese families, it's more than just a decorative item - it's a connection to their ancestors, a reminder of their cultural heritage and traditions.

For me, the Jing Mei calendar was a source of comfort and familiarity in an often chaotic world. Growing up, my mother would spend hours explaining its significance to me, pointing out the different characters and symbols that represented our family's history and traditions. And when she passed away, I found myself drawn back to the calendar again and again, seeking solace in its familiar rhythms and patterns.

But as I looked around the Hsus' living room, I couldn't help but think about how much had changed since my last visit. The house was still the same, with its worn furniture and faded curtains, but something felt different. Maybe it was the absence of my mother's strong presence, or maybe it was just the passage of time.

As I stood there, lost in thought, I noticed that my father was gazing at a picture on the wall. It was an old photo of our family friends, the Jongs, standing on wide slab steps in China. He pointed to it politely, and I could tell he was trying to hide his emotions behind a mask of indifference.

For me, that picture represented so much more than just a simple snapshot of our friends' trip. It was a symbol of our shared cultural heritage, a reminder of the sacrifices our parents had made to bring us to this country, and the struggles we had faced along the way.

As I looked at my father's expressionless face, I couldn't help but think about how much he had always been like that - calm, reserved, and stoic. And yet, despite his tough exterior, I knew that deep down he was still grieving for my mother, just as I was.

The Jing Mei calendar may be just a simple decorative item to some people, but for many Chinese families it's so much more than that. It's a connection to our past, a reminder of our cultural heritage and traditions, and a symbol of the sacrifices we've made along the way. As I stood there in the Hsus' living room, surrounded by the familiar scent of greasy odors and the quiet murmur of conversation, I knew that the Jing Mei calendar would always be a part of me, a reminder of my mother's love and legacy.

Jing mei calendar