New Year's Eve Musings

On the last day of 2017, I'd like to thank everyone who's a friend, in whatever special way you have extended your care, concern, love and affection towards me. Thanks to those who came by to visit.
We all tend to define the value of friendship through the amount of laughter and fun we derive from someone's company.
But the past month has taught me to treasure the friends that stood by me through adversity. 因为享乐很容易，但共患难才是真友情!
...

（Of course I'm typing all this in my bed, as I can't move much. But today I can finally lie on my back. So yay!)

我想你了

有時經過您的房間，還是會有股錯覺。彷彿把頭一探，依舊是您的笑臉 ，您不曾離開。

Friendships That Count

My sincerest thanks to the many friends who dropped by the wake this week, and/or passed your contributions to me, directly or indirectly. I'm especially touched by my old school friends and old colleagues, some of whom I've not met in quite a while.
You will meet new people and make new friends all the time. But you must always reserve a spot in your heart for longtime friends. Due to physical distance, or a shift in life's priorities, you may not always meet up often. But in times of crisis, when support is needed the most, these friends will make the time and effort for you, and that is what matters.

Goodbye, Grandma

Nothing prepares you for the loss of a family member. My grandma passed away last night at 9.30pm in the presence of family.
My earliest memory of childhood was jaywalking with her when she went marketing each day. She would hold me in one hand and an umbrella in the other, and her purse held firmly under her armpit. I eventually got my own little umbrella too and it joined us in our daily jaywalking routine.
We spent a lot of time in the kitchen. I remember yakking away in... Teochew to her while sitting on my red potty. In the evenings, she would carry me to look out of the window to see which uncle/aunt would come home first.

Nothing prepares you for the loss of a family member. But our combined love for her will tighten the bonds of this family she leaves behind.
Thanks to all who have been a source of support to our family during this time. If you'd like to attend the wake, pls PM me.

Hoping for the Best

Some of you may know, my maternal grandma has been in and out of hospital in the last 3 weeks, and the family has been under a lot of stress lately. We were very close to losing her on Sunday but she's fought every tooth and nail to hang on.
Her speech is blurred but her mind is clear. She is aware who has visited, and is able to list who else she wants to see. She doesn't want to sleep for fear that she won't wake up. When we visit, she strains to widen both eyes.
Yesterda...y her grandchildren crowded by her bedside, and her eyes circled the room as she registered our faces, and acknowledged us all. The little babies that all took turns to nap in the sarong that she lovingly prepared and rocked each of us to sleep.

We hope for the best.