Last night in Bangkok while waiting for the clock to strike midnight year 2010, we held a family meeting to discuss pros & cons of taking a vacation during the Christmas holiday.I’ll start with the con because we all felt the same way:  it is bad enough that we can’t be in America on Christmas, but it is even less special without our favorite family traditions.  We can’t complain too much as we were basking in the sun on a beautiful beach.  But even with our best efforts — miniature tree in the hotel room, stockings stuffed for the kids; and Megan throwing a party for Jesus’ birthday — there is nothing like being home in America for the holidays.The same day American Christians celebrate the Messiah’s birth is just an empty holiday across East Asia.  Asian retailers have learned they can make more money by putting up tacky Santa decorations, garland, and string lights.  But among the people in Thailand (or China for that matter) there is no appreciation for the real meaning of the season.  To me, Christmas in Asia is essentially the same as St. Patrick’s Day in the US.  Just a day to wear green (so you won’t get pinched) or go out and get some green donuts, green beer, or McDonald’s limited-time-only green shamrock shake.  But I have to admit I don’t know if this guy St. Patrick is real or myth and what did he do that deserves drinking green beer and eating bad green donuts?  I don’t miss St. Patrick’s Day [please forgive me Uncle Rich and my Irish St. Patty-Day-loving-friends].  In the same way, I don’t think these Asian’s would miss Christmas.I think being away from our apartment was especially hard for Susan because she had no kitchen, hence no cookies to offer; no vegetable tray with the famous Luttmann dill dip, no turkey with potatoes and gravy.As for the pro — the kids told us that the best part of our going away was family time together.  Over the past two weeks all seven of us hung out non-stop.  Each morning started with breakfasted together out on the patio reading-listening to the Advent devotional Bartholamew’s Passage (by Arnold Ytreeide).  Each day spent playing in the sand/water; reading books aloud on the beach — Sweet Volet (by Catherine Palmer).  Eating every lunch and dinner together; shopping; and watching Survivor (Season 19) in the evenings.  Over the years I’ve discovered that there are few things more important to building a strong family than spending many uninterrupted days alone together.

By the way, it doesn’t often work for us to have family time at home — even on a long holiday.  There are too many distractions — chores; home repairs; meals to prepare; cleaning; homework; email; FaceBook; friends calling; etc.  Instead our most memorable family times have been traveling away from home:  no school, no work and staying off the internet.  (Oh, the internet was down at our hotel in Thailand — a very good thing!)

Excellent performances by Rachel and Michael last night — the story was both grave and touching.Hundreds of thousands (including 15,000 children) passed through Terezin, the last stop before Auschwitz. This play is based on a true story and poetry created by children including Raja [played by Rachel].Honza [Michael] is Raja’s dear friend who brings life and purpose to otherwise dead and hopeless days.  I almost cried when Honza told Raja he would be in the next shipment to Auschwitz.Certainly I am proud of Rachel & Michael.  I was also affected by the story.I want to tell Rachel what was told to Raja:  “Now you are not alone.  And you must not be afraid.”I want to tell Michael what was told to Honza by his father: “You are a good boy [man]… you are not a coward…”I want my family to give to the community what Honza gives to Raja:  a reason to go on another day and find hope,  True Hope — forever not alone, and not afraid.I Never Saw Another Butterfly a play by Celeste Raspanti

I found this picture of Megan and her friend Lily. It made me think of how I want our family to be towards our Chinese neighbors.  I love it.  [Taken in April — Yangshuo, China]

USA and China

This morning, I hugged each and said my last goodbye as they headed down the hall to their respective classrooms with snacks and suitcases in tow.After checking-in with teachers, the 10th graders (Michael) will catch an overnight sleeper train to Guangxi Province — while the 9th graders (Rachel) go to Beijing’s airport to catch a flight to Kunming (Yunnan Province).I can’t wait to hear about their adventure, and about Michael’s 20+ hour train ride with thirty classmates!