For the past several days leading up to the parade, Gracie would fly out of bed with the countdown until the big day of the parade. She was especially excited because we were going to join other FCC families and have the privilege of marching in the NYC Lunar Day Parade.
It was a beautiful day in Chinatown. With all the ugly muddy mucky snow slowly melting and the grey sky gone, the sun shone brightly on our corner of Manhattan.
We gathered with other families all proudly carrying the banners of the provinces of our children. We were a little sea of flags, banners, and eager children.Then finally, the parade began to move slowly through the streets of Chinatown. Gracie waved back at the spectators waving and full of smiles called out, "Gong Xi Fa Cai!"
She may have collected a few of the red envelopes along the way. We put chocolate coins in her envelopes for her friends this year. So, it was a big treat to open her envelopes to find beautiful crisp dollars from those we passed in the parade.
A few shoulder rides were necessary after the long march.
Although I am sure that being in the parade was definitely a highlight, seeing her connect with those around her and take such pride in her own history made for a pretty incredible day.
Her dearest little friend and her friend came to the parade and cheered her on.
In the end, she made new friends...
and celebrated not only the holiday, but who she is and who we are as a family and a community.
And after closing our Lunar Day celebration with dumplings, we counted our blessings and looked forward to a new year full of many more and with the hope of sharing this new year with MeiMei.This is a Sunday Snapshot. Head on over to Stephanie's to see more stories and pictures.
