Memories

Memories
My mother is aging. Yesterday at the family gathering for David's last dinner with us before his posting to Hong Kong, mom looked pale like a withered flower. One eye was half closed, while the other eye has the starry look of Michael Jackson. She complained of stomach 'blot', pain in her legs, a weak heart beat and discomfort. She could not sleep.

I consoled her. "It's old age symptom". I know in my heart that her days are numbered. And she will bring into her grave her history and her memories. She has given me the most precious gift of life. My name is aptly mean "precious birth". In return, the least I could do is to write her life story, to preserve her memory as a legacy.

My grandmother has died and her story of World World II was buried with her. How was her life like in China? Why did she married an opium smoker? How did she survive the Japanese Occupation? The answers to these questions were probably lost forever. I remember the day I spoke to her briefly in the hospital. She did not want to eat. I know that's the sign. I walk out of the hospital knowing that would be the last time I will ever see her again. I will never forget the day.

My eldest sister died suddenly at the age of 40. Her story was buried with her. She did not complete her primary education cos of family poverty. She could not read English. Yet she was able to open a hair salon and a beauty salon. She never understood the meaning of impossible in her dictionary. Once she was working as a part time real estate agent. She asked me to translate a form (which was written in English). She showed me that you don't need a degree to be successful in business. You need to be street smart, guts and and ignorance about impossibilities. She died in Beijing without a farewell dinner. What I learnt is "One day, tomorrow will never come".

My uncle is now in Johore Bahru. I was horrified when David showed me the picture of my uncle. Both his legs were amputated up to the knee. Oh the quality of life. I would rather die than live in this painful condition. He has to undergo his weekly kidney dialysis.

Today as I start the e-course on 'Remember, Write and Publish Your Life Story" by Angela Hoy, will I be able to write the story of the Greatest Woman in my life? Will I be able to capture the essence of this woman of substance?