Garnet and Gold

 Growing up, we always celebrated Lunar New Year with our extended family, the Vietnamese way: one by one wishing our elders good fortune for the New Year. It was strictly formal; all eyes were on you when it was your turn to wish your aunt or grandparent a year of health and happiness (and other wishes, if you knew how to say it fluently!). I’m 5th eldest of 16 grandchildren who grew up spending weekends together at our Grandparents’ house, but it was still a squeamish, nerve-wracking moment for me every year. But we were always rewarded with red envelopes and a few words of wisdom from each of our elders. It’s that time of year again, with Lunar...