It was a birthday celebration that not many people will have the chance to attend, I think. And I'm indeed glad, happy and blessed that I was able to. What was it? Well, it's my grandma's 90th birthday!
Grandma was born in 1918. Shw doesn't know her date of birth in the gregorian calendar, but knows that her lunar birthday is on the 1st day of Chinese New Year! And so, we celebrated it in a restaurant with her on Sunday, 3rd Feb, 2008...
Grandma is from China. She came to Singapore after marrying my grandfather. And a tough life she led! Grandpa was a 'wastrel' and spent his life and fortune on opium and gambling. He soon became mentally unstable and then passed away, way before my mum got married to my dad. Grandma has to take on several jobs to bring up her 5 children. And as her whole family was staying under someone else's roof, she had to endure their sarcasm and taunts (though they were relatives)...
Anyway, she survived, and so did her children. She even managed to send dad to school, but dad decided not to continue with his studies after his "O" levels as he wanted to work to help in the family, and wanted his younger siblings to attend school instead... And to think youngsters nowadays are dreading and complaining about school....
Grandma has always been well and healthy and knows her way around Singapore, even much better than my mum. She takes public buses anywhere she goes. However, as in all old folks, she began to 'slow down'.. She had diabetes and high blood pressure about 10 yrs back I think. But, she is very obedient and takes her medicine regularly, without fail. She knows that she has to take medicine to control her health condition. Recent few years saw her getting weaker. But, still alert mentally, can still play mahjong with us! Last year was the turning point. She was hospitalised for more than 1 month, and she didn't have the strength to walk anymore...She even went on a hunger strike in hospital as she detested staying there, and became a bit delirious at times... She will ask "Where's your mummy? She never come and visit me..", other times, she will be perfectly fine "Did you go and pray to your mum during the 7th month.." Finally, she was discharged and my aunties got her a maid. She didn't like that maid. Changed another one. And this one managed to nurse my grandma well enough to walk, albeit slowly.. She became beta, and can walk to the toilet herself at home. But of course, other than that, she will need to be on a wheelchair to move around...
Back to the celebration. Aunty booked 4 tables at this TeoChew restaurant at Mosque street. Name is Lee Kui (Ah Hoi) Restaurant. One word. NICE!! Not those posh restaurants, but certainly serves nice food. Better than the 9 course wedding dinner I had the previous night. My siblings and I bought her a pair of jade earrings. Everyone turned up except for my eldest sil and nephew, Wayne, who is down with Chicken Pox, and another 2 cousins of mine. Grandma has a total of 5 children, 1 son-in-law and 1 daughter-in-law, 18 grandchildren and grandchildren-in-law, and 11 greatgrandchildren... We sang the song, she cut the cake, and everyone took turns wishing her happy 90th birthday and she gave each and everyone red packets...
I certainly wish to celebrate her century-old birthday, and I wish her longevity, good health always.. HAPPY 90th BIRTHDAY, Grandma!
