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I never realized what a huge impact Chinese holidays and celebrations had on marking the passage of time until I move to Utah, away from my family. The weeks and months pass, the seasons change and the only thing that marks the passage of years are my husband’s, my kid’s and my birthdays.

When we lived in California, we would regularly have dinner or dim sum with my parents. But during Chinese Holidays, it was mandatory that the whole family got together; all 17 of us (my parents, me, my 5 siblings, 5 significant others, and 4+ children). Chinese New Year lands in February, bringing candied fruits and cakes. June brings the Dragon Boat Festival and rice dumplings wrapped in leaves. September brings the Mid-Autumn Festival and Moon Cakes. December brings the Winter Solstice Festival and rice balls in soup.

In Utah, 800 miles away from my Chinese self, we anticipate the next Chinese New Year when we make it a point to be in California to celebrate with family and good food.

This past election season I noticed something about my parents. They take being citizens seriously.

On our last visit to them in CA for my brother’s wedding, I noticed that they had one of those ballot measure information booklets. Inside, each ballot was marked. They had done their homework and were ready and eager for election day. It was then I realized that they had done this every election since they became naturalized in 1980. They not only voted, they made it a point to understand what they voted for and why.

Thinking on this, I realized they also took jury duty seriously. They never tried to opt out even though they had 6 kids at home and ran their on business. They figured out a way to ensure that they did their duty.

I wish I could say that I never allow inconvenience to hamper my doing my duty as a citizen. Seems at 34, I still have a lot to learn from my parents.