A great woman.

This post is specially dedicated to my great grandmother, (yes, you heard right) who passed away due to a heart attack on Thursday afternoon. Yup, another death in my family, and I would be going to her wake later. So soon, and yet another funeral. I guess it's because I'm getting older and therefore its inevitable that people around me pass away one by one. But that's so sad right? I guess, no one can stay by your side forever, therefore we have to always treasure what we have now and the people around us, instead of constantly wishing for things we didn't have.

My great grandmother, which we fondly call Tai ma, is really a great woman I admire. She is really strong and I'm really proud to have her as my great grandmother. I'm not really sure if my version of her life story is like that lah but I think mostly is true. She had 2 husbands. I don't know much which one is which but they both weren't around when I was born lah. I think the first one, came from China and married my taima and after awhile, his wife and son came from China to look for him, then she realised she was actually the second wife and I think he went off with them, abandoning her. The second husband was I don't know how much later, but my Ah mah was from her second husband. And after having several kids, it was the Japanese Occupation period, and he was taken away by the Japanese. And you all know the massacre, where they pulled men into a truck to be taken to Changi to be shot and killed. He never came back, so they all supposed he is death lah. My taima, single-handedly took care of all her children. I don't know how she got the money, she bought land in Singapore and rented all these kampong houses to coolies who came to work in Singapore. Then, she would cook like noodles with veg or something to sell to these workers for lunch and dinner. From there, her business sorta grew and she became more and more prosperous. I guess God is watching over her and helping her to lighten her burden in taking care of all her kids lah. Actually I'm not even sure how many grand uncles and aunties I have but definitely more than 5. So, life became better for all of them. When we go over for CNY, my Taima is always sitting at the same spot where she will be the first to see anyone who comes into the house. And we will all go hug her. And her hands are all wrinkled and old, but they still feel so nice to hold. And she, being so old, will give everyone at least $10 lor. And all the adults who give her money, she will go to the room, take out the money and give back half. Coz she really don't need the money but have to accept coz all the adults will push it to her. Haha and she is always so nice and I really love her!

Dear Taima,

no matter where you are right now, I just wanna tell you that I love you and thanks for being so strong and everything. I will always remember this spirit you have. To raise up your kids no matter the circumstances. You taught me to always be strong no matter what happens. I will always smile everywhere I go! Thanks and I love you!

Yours truly,
Joyce