New Year’s 1953 was different. For the first time, we observed the Chinese New Year without Father.
In the morning, we went to Mother’s room and made our usual bows. As usual, she gave us each a set of new clothes and a red envelope, and then boiled delicious sesame rice balls for our breakfast. The sweetness in my month didn’t change the bitterness in my heart. I missed my father.
Later in the afternoon, Mother surprised us with a small rabbit lantern just like those Father had bought for us in the past. It was lovely, with shiny golden ears, bright red glass eyes, long white shredded paper hair, and a candleholder inside. Mother even bought us a red candle.
Even with all those wonderful gifts, though, I felt indifferent without Father. I …show more content…
Following Soviet policy to encourage birth, Mao said, “More people, more flame, more heat, more force.” In just six years, from 1949 to 1955, China’s population swelled from under five hundred million to over six hundred million. The Communist Party copied Soviet economic model – planned economy instead of market economy, people lost their incentive to work hard, and the plunging productivity couldn’t keep up the demands of a skyrocketing population. Filling store shelves wasn’t easy. Mother got a tough job.
At the dinner table, Mother liked to talk about her new job as my brothers and I discussed our day at school. One evening, she was in particularly high spirits. Her face glowed and her eyes sparkled as she told us how she had located a batch of quality women’s blouses at a good price. She ordered as many as she could from the factory. “The blouses are elegant, the white, fine poplin fabric with embroidery of light blue flowers and green leaves on the chest,” she said.
“Are you going to get one, Mom?” I asked. She used to own many fashionable clothes.
“No.”
“Why not? Since Father left, you haven’t bought anything for yourself.” I was a natural
In the morning, we went to Mother’s room and made our usual bows. As usual, she gave us each a set of new clothes and a red envelope, and then boiled delicious sesame rice balls for our breakfast. The sweetness in my month didn’t change the bitterness in my heart. I missed my father.
Later in the afternoon, Mother surprised us with a small rabbit lantern just like those Father had bought for us in the past. It was lovely, with shiny golden ears, bright red glass eyes, long white shredded paper hair, and a candleholder inside. Mother even bought us a red candle.
Even with all those wonderful gifts, though, I felt indifferent without Father. I …show more content…
Following Soviet policy to encourage birth, Mao said, “More people, more flame, more heat, more force.” In just six years, from 1949 to 1955, China’s population swelled from under five hundred million to over six hundred million. The Communist Party copied Soviet economic model – planned economy instead of market economy, people lost their incentive to work hard, and the plunging productivity couldn’t keep up the demands of a skyrocketing population. Filling store shelves wasn’t easy. Mother got a tough job.
At the dinner table, Mother liked to talk about her new job as my brothers and I discussed our day at school. One evening, she was in particularly high spirits. Her face glowed and her eyes sparkled as she told us how she had located a batch of quality women’s blouses at a good price. She ordered as many as she could from the factory. “The blouses are elegant, the white, fine poplin fabric with embroidery of light blue flowers and green leaves on the chest,” she said.
“Are you going to get one, Mom?” I asked. She used to own many fashionable clothes.
“No.”
“Why not? Since Father left, you haven’t bought anything for yourself.” I was a natural