Floating Lantern Festival

There’s a lot of history with Floating Lantern Festivals, dating back to China during 200 BC.   Many cultures have traditions and histories with the Sky Lanterns from releasing ones worries to celebration of the water goddess and to honor family ancestors.  It usually takes place on the 15th day of Lunar New Year.

And for a Sylum Snippet – one requested way back by Kathie – Nathan and family (that still leaves 8 … how do I always have 8)

Ethan sat on the edge of the lake that was close to Shogun’s main home.  The villagers were getting ready for the festival, along with most of the clan.   

Nathan had explained it to him, but so far he had never seen one, and was looking forward to the festival.   He could see flickers of lights all around the lake, like fireflies from when he was a child.  

Mushu settled next to him, staying in the long grass as not to scare some of the local villagers, not everyone knew a Dragon lived among them.  They didn’t have to wait long until Nathan made his way over to them, carry three lanterns.   Ethan stood and took one from his hands.  “What am I supposed to do?”

“There are a few different traditions, depending on where someone is from.”  Nathan held the second lantern out for Mushu who shifted until sitting on his tail and able to gently take a hold of the lantern.  “I’ve taken to letting my fears and worries go, start the new year on a positive note.  I’ve also said prayers for those I’ve lost.   After the war, when the festival was re-established I sent them as prayers for those who we lost, and those still struggling.”

Ethan nodded, then focused on what he wanted to let go.   He hadn’t realized how much he was lost in thought until he saw the lanterns lifting up to the heavens.   With a deep breath he realized his, which floated up with Nathan and Mushu’s.   He needed to let the past go, leave Phelps behind and learn to truly live his life.  “Thank You.”

Nathan pulled his nephew into his arms, holding him tight.  Both laughed when they had a dragon wrapped around them.  “My humoons.”

Katsumoto smiled watching the his Mate with his nephew.  He was thankful Ethan could come and spend some time in Japan, Nathan hadn’t seen him since before the war.   Even thirty years afterwards he could see the strain on his Mate, seeing him relaxed and laughing was joyous.  

“So what did your dragon send up to the heavens?”  Katsumoto asked, arm slipping around Nathan the fact he didn’t flinch showed how far they had come.  

“Happiness for my humoons.”  Mushu settled back into the tall grass, wiggling down sighing softly.