"Ah karn orh, le lai lo" - My child! You are here ah!
That is what she will always say when she see us..
A quiet, cute and foodie old lady who has slough all her life and bravely picked up the sole responsibility of the whole Chng family of 7 children. Her husband whom passed away then, she was 50. She washed clothes and work as cleaners for those rich person then in the 1970s while missing her hubby dearly in her heart. Within a year, her eldest son met an accident and left her too. She was devastated but she bite on, for the family.
Since then, she never stop worrying or relax for a moment till she was in her 70s. Not only she took good care of the family, she even took good care of her grandchildren.
She was ever independent and so good in cooking. She was a foodie too. My favorite dish was sambal chilli chicken wing and fried tang hoon. While Durian, "Sai" or known as persimmon, yam ring, fried hor fun and many more...She can eat man! When its not nice or not to her liking she will tell you or reject eating and we will laugh about it.
There was once, she shared she requested for Yam ring, the stall heard as hor fun and she was so pissed when she reached home, realising it was not what she want. And yes, she went back again to scold the person and change it. Cute right!
Every chinese new year, since young going to her place was my favourite destination. Because she will protect me from scolding from my strict dad due to my negligence and resulted in breaking utensil. Also because she was prepare lots of goodies and all our favorite food. Not forgetting, all family members, yes, All, will be presence. Not a single in absence.All about 30 to 40 people will be squeeze to the small 4room flat in simei. But all are in super high spirits. Not to mentioned the few uncles will be fighting any available cosy corner and fell asleep. While the Chng sisters will be gathered in the kitchen chitchating and laughing merrily. The grandchildren will be running around or entertained by the world nicest uncle - Uncle Lawrence, who is all small kids favorite with his joke and entertainments. While all these are happening, wai po was smiling non stop and enjoying the moments.
I love to hug her and smell her and sayang her hair and she will say to me: ah ma lao liao, tao meng buey sui (granny is old, hair not pretty liao) then she will giggle away.
She didn't stop worrying about her only son left, who is my second uncle and youngest in the family, right till her last breath. The uncle too was her bao bei...she misses him dearly where he rarely visit her but kept to herself.When he visit her, she will bring all his favourite food. She even worries about him of his financial and thinking of how not to burden him with her "hou shi" (funeral)
She stayed with my third auntie who has no children, since they move from Geylang to Simei in the 80s. When wai po start to fall sick, she took care of her unconditiongly and ensure she was ever in the best comfort. Knowing deep inside, she was not the favourite but just do her best as a daughter. Thank you san yi! Thank you
A whole life as a wife, mother, granny, in laws - she scored 100 marks in my view. Even though my mum would say when wai po was younger she was very fierce. Guess she has no choice as a single mother and weak woman who has to brave all her might to take care of the family and endure her pain.
Wai Po, please take care of your self out there, ok. Don't worry too much. Be free.
No comments:
Post a Comment