Cold Dew (寒露) | A Little Warmth as Autumn Deepens
As autumn settles in, the mornings grow colder, the air becomes crisp, and the leaves begin to turn shades of gold and red.
In the traditional Chinese calendar, Cold Dew (寒露, Hanlu) is the seventeenth of the twenty-four solar terms. It marks a time when temperatures begin to fall more noticeably, and the dew that gathers on grass and leaves feels colder than before.
If White Dew (白露) signals the first hint of autumn's chill, Cold Dew tells us that the cooler season has truly arrived.
In China, this time of year is traditionally associated with appreciating chrysanthemums, enjoying the autumn scenery and preparing for the colder months ahead. There is also an old Chinese saying: "At White Dew, keep your body covered; at Cold Dew, keep your feet warm."
Behind this simple piece of seasonal advice lies something familiar to people everywhere: the wish to keep those we love safe, comfortable and well.
The Warmth of Everyday Care
Many of us remember being told as children to put on another layer when the weather turned cold.
At the time, such reminders might have seemed unnecessary or even a little tiresome. Yet as we grow older, we often come to recognise the affection behind them.
Care does not always need grand gestures or beautiful words.
It may be a warm drink offered on a cold morning, a message asking how someone is doing, a coat kept ready for a child, or a helping hand extended without being asked.
These ordinary moments rarely become the stories we tell about our lives. Yet they are often what makes us feel loved, supported and remembered.
Kindness That Reaches Beyond Our Own Families
At The Mothers' Bridge of Love, we believe that care can extend beyond the people closest to us.
It can be expressed through listening to someone whose experiences differ from our own, offering support to a family facing uncertainty, or helping people from different cultural backgrounds understand one another.
Through our work with children, families, adoptees and communities, we have seen how small acts of compassion can make a meaningful difference.
Not every difficulty can be resolved immediately, and not every journey has a straightforward path. But knowing that someone is willing to listen, understand or offer support can make that journey feel less lonely.
Sometimes, kindness begins with a simple question: Is there anything I can do to help?
As the Days Grow Colder
Cold Dew reminds us to prepare for the changing weather, but perhaps it can also encourage us to pay a little more attention to the people around us.
We might contact a friend we have not spoken to for some time, spend an extra moment with family, or offer kindness to someone who needs it.
As autumn deepens, The Mothers' Bridge of Love sends warm wishes to all our friends, families, volunteers and supporters around the world.
May you find warmth in the care of others, and may the kindness you share bring a little comfort wherever it is needed.
Happy Cold Dew. 寒露安康！