Dad explained to me softly and occasionally laughed with me. That simple but warm companionship makes me feel very nostalgic. Looking back now, the Chingay Parade is not just an event, but also carries the good times I spent with my father.
As children, we were happy because after the Chingay procession, our father would bring us to eat and go window shopping. This helped pass the time, as the buses were always crowded once the procession ended…. We also needed to thank the cleaners, who would immediately start cleaning the surrounding area within a short time, before traffic on the road resumed.
I still recall fondly that feeling – everything at home was spick and span, of having families around me and counting down to a new year. I miss it.