My grandmother passed away last weekend, she was the dearest old lady in the world who would have been content just by watching you enjoy her cooking.
Because of the close date to Chinese New Year, only a pathetic handful of relatives came to the wake. The other relatives who would visit us during CNY, who came to eat her food every year, who complimented her skills in the kitchen and had plate after plate of rice, never showed.
Pantang.
Makan time, don't pantang. Mati time, pantang sial.
Well, I very pantang these relatives now. Sometimes, you say FUCK YOU to some traditions and show up to pay your respects as members of the family. Fucking useless.
But you know what? My grandma would have just said nevermind-lah, it's tradition-mah, cannot be angry at them, they are just following rules.
I feel sorry for a lot of relatives (especially the closest ones) who never knew her love, who never had the chance to spend time with her and listen to her sound advice. You missed out on a helluva woman.
And to those relatives who never showed up at the wake or funeral because they pantang, I understand it's Chinese superstition, but fuck you anyways.