My grandma went home to be with the Lord on 25 Feb 2008.
This is what I shared at her funeral.
Thank You Mama
10.07.1923 – 25.02.2008
In thinking of words that could be used to describe my Mama, it was hard not to feel the depth of the impact she has made on my life. She was truly my rock, my strength and my “rescuer”. Amongst my earliest memories of Mama are those of us sitting on the stone bench waiting for the school bus. There we spent so many afternoons, just being each others presence. It was from there and from her that I learnt the meaning of quality time.
Growing up, one of my simplest pleasures was just being with Mama, be it at home or otherwise. At home, just sitting around, watching her potter around the house, boiling water, attending to the clothes. Outside home, going to the market with her was a treat. I knew that I would be indulged, be it with cha kway teow, mee pok tar or chai tow kuah. For some reason or other, at that point in time, it was only Mama who knew how I liked my food, whether it be no tau gey, more black sauce or less black sauce, with chilli or no chilli, whether the noodles were to be cut or not.
My parents would say that Mama spoilt me, but I beg to differ. Rather I would say that she provided me with a sense of security – being someone I could always count on. Regardless of rain or shine, thunder or lightning, whenever I forgot to bring book, pocket money or my lunch box or if I was not feeling well, Mama was always just phone call away; a phone call home and Mama would come to my rescue. She provided me with a sense of security & stability – knowing day in day out, she was there, getting me ready for school, sending me off to school and waiting for me to come back.
I remember one such day when I was “goofing” around, jumping here, there and everywhere and accidentally broke my new water bottle. I was hysterical and in tears for fear of getting into trouble with my parents, Mama put her arms around me and promised me that she would get me an identical one that very afternoon so none would be the wiser and true enough when I got back from school, there a brand new identical pink water bottle was waiting for me. Truly in her, I found significance – I was never too troublesome or naughty for her. Even when I went against her stern warnings, and hurt myself, it was she who would clean my scraps and even hide the truth from my parents.
She was definitely a very responsible grandmother - making sure that our white school shoes were “blancoed”. Her schedule revolved around “catching the sun”, always ensuing that our clothes dry. And when we were living together, nightly without fail, she would come into my room, make sure that I was covered with the blanket and that the switch next to my bed was off. She even exchanged my tattered and torn blanket with her own, so that I could have a better one.
She was selfless, always putting others first. Remembering how sad she was when I was overseas studying, sometimes I wondered why she never asked me not to go. But instead always through tears she would tell me to study hard and make the best of the opportunity that my parents had provided. She was a sentimental person and appreciative of simple gestures. She kept the entire collection of letters that I had written to her while I was overseas.
Mama was one who never liked to trouble others. And it was this sense of self determination in her that made the illness that would eventually consume her even more difficult for her. Some of you would know that it has been a 10 yr battle for Mama against dementia and all its associated losses. But she definitely did not take this lying down. She resisted the wheel chair, resisted diapers, fighting the illness that would take away almost all of her physical being, abit at a time. Truly 2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” describes what she has been through – fighting right to the end.
Mama, even as Jesus receives you in his loving arms and tells you Well Done! my good and faithful servant here we are rejoicing with you. Mama your battle gives me strength, it gives me courage. For me, walking this road with you has given me meaning, and there has been joy in this journey. All this journeying with you has brought growth and is an experience that no one can take away. I shall endeavor to have my life embody your spirit of love, care, protection, compassion and courage.
Mama, thank you for loving me, for always being there for me, for being my constant companion; when we meet again, I want you to look at me and tell me … Well Done Fatty, I am proud of you!
We love you and will miss you very very very much. You have lived a good life, left a legacy and will continue to live in and through us forever and ever!
