Precious Moments

 Home.

I told dad that we left Muar some 30 years ago and have resided in Subang Jaya ever since.

However, we do not know why the attachment to the town is so strong that we somehow would always give our allegiance to this place first; Muar is so special in our hearts.

 Needless to say, your growing years are the most impressive in one's life.

So, the memories of childhood, school days, classmates, church and the neighbourhood are strong strings; you will find it hard to discard.

Perhaps the greatest attachment is the familiarity of quaint memories and most importantly when your loved ones await your coming home with open arms.

 Even before reaching the door, the smell of food and voices can excite you.

This is comfortable feeling and happiness.

When I was little and life was hard, I never knew we siblings could have the privilege of staying in such a comfortable environment.

Those growing years were tough; we had to snuggle together in small rooms and shared almost anything; passed down clothes, textbooks, school uniforms and shoes.

Pocket money meant getting ten cents and sometimes five.

But we siblings understood and never dared asked for anything more.

A hard life teaches the best lessons; struggles toughen us and tighten unnecessary spending.

So we learn to save and thrift.

But now, these are hard to come by; I don't have to explain.

 Kong Kong and his cheeky grin is glad to have his grand daughter doting around him; though in his 90s took the girl for a ride in the afternoon after arriving from Singapore and while waiting for us to arrive over the weekend. Kong Kong says Derlyn has grown into a boisterous lass while the older sister has grown more sober. He must understand the vocations they are in have moulded their behaviours !

One is carefree; the other is bogged down by patients !

 Yes, whether we liked it or not, Por por insisted that all of us join in their Senior Fellowship gathering ...

So, to make everyone happy, we trudged along and pretended to be very happy hearing oldies sing and dance !

 It has been a while since we have been entertained in this way. You sit through the evening with tables of people from 50 and above ; and see how they make others happy.

 I was observing this lady; in her 70s perhaps but exceedingly in tune and does not dance with two left feet. She swayed, hopped, skipped, jumped and name all dance movements with grace. Derlyn asked me " mum, who would be interested in knowing all these?" Well, we belong to different generations and I find it amusing that people of this senior citizen era still find so much zest in life.

 Actually, I was imagining myself dancing up there ! Can I make it :))?

We really thought it was good experience spending time with the older citizens and enjoy their presence.

That's Por with her good friend; Mr.Lim who sponsored many tables for the evening.

 Then we were entertained by another good dance.

Very Malaysian; Chinese Nyonya dancing to the tune of a Malay tune. 

I like it because this is this the real essence of the true Malaysian culture.

I enjoyed watching  the dance.

We went home with memories of dance and songs; hard to come by. 

Another precious gesture; to smell the concoction of Chinese ginseng and red berries slowed cooked for hours by Por por for her loved ones; she protects her children like a tiger; no one escapes her care.

 She got up early in the morn to make sure her aim of getting everyone a bowl of ginseng achieved.

No one will leave without that.

 

 She packed home-cooked food; bought fruits and local delicacies as though we never grew up; always children in her sight.

 While Por prepares the food, Kong goes out early in the morn to line up for the famous Muar 'kueh kat' ...

The vendor kept asking Kong for his age and inquired why he did not grace his store for a long while to which Kong replied that the waiting put him off...

 This is worth the wait; so Kong had to oblige his children and waited for his turn.

 Another typical Malaysian scenario; to find this Indian lady queuing up for this food too. She told me she was from Penang and she missed the street food of Penang. She found this store similar to that of those found in Penang and made it a point to buy and splashed in with her Penang hokkien ...lua lua ah...meaning she want it real hot ! I find this very heart warming; another Malaysian assimilation of cultures.

So, after we have filled out stomachs with all sorts of local and home-cooked food, it's our turn to do our parents some favors.

 The boys adjusted the TV set; taught them to tune in to channels...

 Dad saw to the working of the air-conditioner ...

 Kong and grandson John spoke it all; the best ever assimilation of Malaysian culture. They conversed using the Malay Language; no other language could they use to communicate. Isn't this true assimilation? Even the older generation did not mind the grandchildren not speaking Chinese to them. The Malay Language is acceptable in the home; I find this heart warming too. 

The banana grandchildren are not reprimanded; the old folks love them as much.

 Good times last very short while; in the twinkle of an eye, it's time for good byes. So fast; yet we had to leave.

 We came home to celebrate Mother's Day; but we were celebrated more by our parents.

Such is the love of my mother.

My brother from the States sends her a bouquet of flowers every year.

This year was no different.

 Happy Mother's Day, Por Por.

We love you.

Before I left, she reminded me to bring back the container of biscuits for my colleagues; she knows they love them and makes sure she has a container ready for me to give my friends each time I go home.

My friends tell me they love my mother too.

Thank you for being my mother, Por Por.

The Lord's good grace be ever abundant in your life.

God Bless My Mother.