#filial

by 勇敢哥特 @ Z777700000

April sunset cast its colored shadows over the city, buzzing bumblebees and butterflies fluttering over the wildflowers, the air filled with the smell of pink blossoms and children’s laughs. This is a beautiful spring day and little Hana is incredibly happy. “Let’s go, daddy!” her tiny hand grabs her father’s ring finger, urging him forward with a thrilled smile on her face. Her little feet echoing across the white halls, eyes scanning eagerly every windowed door without really reaching the glass, still too small to see anything behind, until her father takes her swiftly from the floor into his arms, sliding a quick peck on her soft cheek. “Come here, love. Is this way.” “I want to meet him, dad!” The toddler exclaims shaking her tiny fists in front of him, her excitement mirrored by the one his dad is slipping; his usually neat hair is somehow out of place, no tie over the expensive shirt and his sleeves rolled up in a rare sign of nervousness as the clothes feel constricting over his skin but is not unpleasant. A wide smile makes him look younger and softer, because like Hana, Kotaro is incredibly happy too. “I know, sweetheart.” “We will eat mochis and play, and we will be the fest friends forever!” “I bet you will!” The man finally stops in front of one of the doors, his last name written over the little board at the entrance and for a moment, Kotaro feels his heart will spring out of his chest at any moment. Just like the last time, he’s incredibly scared, but the curiosity is bigger, so he opens the door. Honeyed sunlight spills over Nao’s tousled locks as she carefully holds the tiny bundle against her pale breast and Kotaro thinks she’s never been more beautiful than this. “Mommy! I missed you!” “Hi, sweetheart.” “Hana, wait!” her father holds her secure before she tries to jump from his height. “I want to see him!” “Remember what your grandmother told us. We need to disinfect our hands first.” Nao laughs softly from the bed before looking at the little face that has stopped sucking and now watches her without any understanding of anything about the sudden burst of colors and sounds that surround him. “Your sister and your dad are here to meet you, baby.” “Let me see! Mommy! I want to see him!” “Now, now, Hana. Come here. Let’s meet your brother” Kotaro speaks approaching her to the bed excited to see her reaction to the new family addition. Hanna is not surprised at all. “Why is he so wrinkly?” Her question makes her parents laugh, before Nao touches her husband’s hand. “Darling, hold him.” Kotaro is no rookie around newborns, and yet he can’t stop himself from trembling a little while taking the baby in his arms, all too aware of the delicate little head that fit in his palm. “He has…a lot of hair.” he chuckles, finally allowing himself the cry of joy he’s been trying to keep at bay all day. “I have a son. We have a baby boy, Nao.” “Yes. We have.” “My baby boy. My son.” He can’t help it, but to kiss his wife with teary eyes, before ruffling his daughter’s hair, wishing to stop time forever in this very moment, all too happy to feel anything else as he scans his newborn face trying to imprint the image of his messy hair and red cheeks forever in his mind, knowing all too well already that babies grow in a blink of an eye. “Darling. You have to name it.” “Are you sure?” “Yes. Is a boy, so is your turn.” Nao speaks while holding Hana closer to her, reveling on her child’s smell after eternal hours of painful labor. Kotaro has been thinking about this for a couple of weeks already, searching for something meaningful and kind for his son, but is easy to name a boy to be strong or clever and he already knows his son will be all that. So, no, he thinks his child needs something more significant, something bigger and useful as he grows. Because to grow is to make mistakes. and his son will always be able to turn around. To change and start again. “Tenko.” He calls, looking down little reddish eyes that blink sleepy at him, thinking that he already loves him far too much. “His name

is Tenko.”

There are many forms of ancestor worship all over the world. Its so much easier to relate and ask for help from a family member. We COULD ask Buddha, or Guangying (mother goddess), but they're busy, at least in my family, we're told, ask family first, only ask the goddess if you really need help.

Some other articles also complain about how Turning Red is about disobeying and dishonoring your family and their love, care and wisdom. However, the authors of those articles completely miss the fact that ancestor worship is the BIGGEST form of honoring a relative for their love, care and wisdom. By remembering them, showing them reverence, you honor their existence and all they contributed. Did the authors completely miss the whole part where Sun Yee spoke to a god, and protected her family and people from war??? And the fact that she, a woman and mother, risked her life to protect her family, is revered and is the symbol of guidance, strength and protection??? Did they miss that? Some households also have Generals and Lieutenants too. First time I heard of Saints, I thought "Oh like the Generals".

Also Mei, still honors and loves her mother and father. After her heart to heart with each of them, they came to an agreement that her growing up, becoming independent and able to confidently make her own decisions, she is honoring them by living her life to the fullest. Having a successful happy child is the greatest display of being filial. Also the way Mei and Ming gazed at each other at the end, shows that they no longer need a held hand to ensure trust and honor, the eye contact show they still have a deep and caring love for each other. I mean sure she fought with them, she lied to them, she broke their rules, but who hasn't? Ming decided to follow her Mother's rules and expectation, hide herself, and is afraid of her mom, do we really want that to be the foundation of a parent child relationship? Is that really a celebration of being your parent's child? Hiding yourself and all that you can do? Mei has a healthier relationship with her mom now. She doesn't need to hide with the fear that she will be separated from her mom's love and care. Ming confirmed, clearly, that even if they are physically separate, they are still spiritually together and her love and care is still available. Also some complaints about how everything is red and "demonic", well sorry to burst your bubble but...white in Chinese culture means death. And wearing solely white is unlucky because it means you're in mourning or inviting death and demons, and red in our culture means life, luck and protection.

And the whole "there's a beast inside everyone", and the authors taking issue with that, and missing what it means, I think is funny because, I feel like Christians and Catholics are pros at metaphors and allegory.

Central

Jamboree