I was primary 4 back then, and it was always a joy to visit my great grandmother in Malaysia. Back then, she was already 95 years old. From the outlook, however, she was a strong, fit, old woman who could even climb flights of stairs and go to nearby shops to buy food for herself. She lived on her own, but it seemed like she was even more independent than my grandparents who were already plagued with high cholesterol amidst many other illnesses.
Every time I went back there, it was as if I could expect loads of biscuits waiting for me. It was as if I could expect a thick, red, envelop of money would be waiting for me. It was as if I could expect her arms around my back and receive many dear kisses from her. It was as if I could expect to hear her stories about how she suffered as a veteran of world war 2.
This I believe: I would be able to give back to her one day.
All went well, and as she neared a 100 years old, she still looked as fit as ever. However, There's a harsh reality - nothing lasts forever. One has to be ready to grow, and grow fast, for suddenly, I learnt of her fall when climbing up the steps one fine day. I was traumatized.
Seconds seemed to last like eternity. I could not bear the thought of how she was as thoughts raced through my mind. Tears trickled down my cheek as if it were a breach in a dike. At the current state, my grandparents rushed back to Malaysia to have a last glimpse of their mother. However, I was told to stay behind as there was nothing else much to do already.
Back there, I called my grandparents. I figured, if she were to wake up, I would like to have a talk to her. I prayed against all hope that it would be this way. Her unmoving body, my grandparent's unwavering love, the doctor's words were all I had.
This I believe: I had to fulfill her last wish: I had to give back to her one day.
And that special wish that she had was all I could do now. It was as if that was my life's aim, my last goal that I must and had to achieve :" 用功读书，不要放弃".
Dear Nicholas,
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear about your loss of a figure whom you looked up to so much and love so affectionately.
I can see that you are indeed putting in a lot of effort in your school work to repay your great grandmother's love for you, and grant her her final wish. It will definitely make her proud of her little great grandson (:
I guess you should also treasure those around you as well.
Spend some time off with your grandparents, whom I know really love you very much as can be seen from them picking you up everyday after school. They are really nice people; I can feel their warmth when they thanked us the other day!
Your parents, too, should not be forgotten! Love them with all your heart. Share your joyous moments with them, and be a happy family together with your elder brother!
Have fun on this journey called life with your family and your friends! (:
Regards,
Nathan (:
Hi Nicholas,
ReplyDeleteI can feel your grief for the loss of your grandmother. I can see that you really love her and want to fulfill her last wish for you as her grandson. Therefore, you should work harder and not disappoint her.
Moreover, I agree with Nathan that you should also treasure those around you now. Treasure you grandparents who come to fetch you from school everyday. It may seem like a small thing to you, but it is definitely their way of showing their love for you.
In addition, you should treasure your parents and your elder brother. Your parents really care for you, or your mother would not have prepared curry chicken for you for lunch. Also, try to improve your relationship with your brother. We cannot choose who we want to be our sibling, but we can definitely choose how we view them. :)
Furthermore, treasure your friends too, like Nathan and I. We really care for you, as your friends. If not, we would not have volunteered to carry your bag to SALT centre to wait for your grandparents when you injured your leg. Although we may joke around sometimes, our care and concern are definitely genuine. :)
Regards,
Kee Xuan (2I125)
Dear Nicholas,
ReplyDeleteI am sorry for your grief of losing a loved one. I feel glad that you have something to remind you of your great grandmother: a wish that you aim to fulfil. I have lost my great grandmother when I was only a few years old, and my grandfather when I was 12. However, my memories of them have gradually been forgotten and I no longer have anything to remind me of them. The only way I can repay them would be to live life to its fullest and make meaning of my life, only then would I be able to face them. I hope you can continue to persevere in your education years ahead and wish you all the best for your coming examinations.
“Life is eternal, and love is immortal,
and death is only a horizon;
and a horizon is nothing save the limit of our sight.”
~ Rossiter Worthington Raymond
Regards,
Ivan
Hi Nicholas,
ReplyDeleteI can feel the grief of you having lost a loved one. From this post, I can see that you do indeed care for your great-grandmother, and that you do want to give back to her in one way or another. However, since you are unable to do so now, let what remaining memories you have, as well as experiences together with your great-grandmother stay within your heart, and let them be eternally locked within. Since you have felt the feeling of not being able to repay someone back, which is a sad experience, you should then seek to treasure everyone, not wasting a single second with your kin, so that you will not longer have this regret anymore.
Remember Nicholas, stay strong, live on. I believe that what your great-grandmother wants to see is for you to excel in your life, and thus this is what you should aim for in order to make her proud of you.
Regards,
Gordon