The Red Lantern Festival

Every year in late winter, my grandmother hangs a bright red lantern outside our old wooden house.ⓘEvery year in late winter, my grandmother hangs a bright red lantern outside our old wooden house. This year I came home from the city just to see it.ⓘThis year I came home from the city just to see it.

Grandma smiled when she opened the door.ⓘGrandma smiled when she opened the door. "You remembered the festival," she said softly.ⓘ"You remembered the festival," she said softly. Together we lit the candle inside the lantern and watched its warm red light dance on the snow.ⓘTogether we lit the candle inside the lantern and watched its warm red light dance on the snow. For a moment the busy city felt very far away.ⓘFor a moment the busy city felt very far away.

I realised then that some traditions are like that old red lantern: they shine brightest when we come home.ⓘI realised then that some traditions are like that old red lantern: they shine brightest when we come home.