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Post by helen on Jul 7, 2011 2:10:55 GMT -5
welcome home. Glad you had a great trip. The perception that elders would have wanted financial contributions may not be true today. I haven't had that impression on the trips that I have done. Do you have a blog/ or photos to share?
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Post by raymond on Jul 31, 2011 3:49:03 GMT -5
My experience with visiting my ancestral village and village elders in Xinhui has been virtually free of direct monetary implication and favors. Nonetheless, one must not lose sight of the big picture....one's forefathers have left the ancestral village, and descendants are returning to pay respect to the ancestors and to seek information about family. In my mind, it's a homecoming of sorts. I count my blessing that it is because of my forefathers migration to the US for a better life that I am who I am and what I am today. As a descendant, and a returning son even, I really do not mind, and gladly in doing so, contributing a little something in the form of red envelopes to close relatives and key friends in the village. It really isn't about the money.....it's actually about a token of appreciation and good wishes. These voluntary gratuities go a long way in fulfilling in part filial duties and tasks such as upkeep of the ancestral home, maintenance of the ancestral temple, maintenance of the ancestral hall, and remembrance of the ancestors during key times of the year. Though I live very far away from the ancestral village, I shall never forget where my family roots are.......
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Post by Henry on Jul 31, 2011 10:28:15 GMT -5
Dear Colleagues,
Our friend Ray has once again been able to capture the spirit and essence of this aspect of being overseas Chinese and expressed it so eloquently from the heart !
Henry
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