3 August 2013 (saturday) and 8-11 August 2013

3 August 2013 (Saturday)

This weekend has been quite memorable.    I truly feel that I really had a joyful birthday and it is not because of receiving a big present or a great feast.   Indeed “simple is happiness” and “giving reaps the greatest harvest”.  Managed to have usual breakfast with parents followed by tuition at orphanage and lunch with in laws on Sat.    Visited an underprivileged family with Tong.  Bought a cake and a camera along.  The kids seemed to be so excited and started taking pictures.  Felt much gratefulness for being blessed with a good functioning body.  Also for given an opportunity to share and learn so much from them.  They are the real givers and I.. the recipient.  Had vegetarian dinner at Bai Xian Restaurant at Kepong with Kwee Yap and the kids followed by tiramisu cakes for supper.  This year birthday has been a simple celebration but nevertheless it is one of the more memorable one for me.

On Sunday , joined volunteers to visit gan en fu.  Have been looking forward to this for long time and quickly grab this opportunity when it came.

One story shared by another volunteer really moved me.  The volunteer was pulled by a lady during one of the home visit on the student sponsored by this NGO.  This lady’s husband is suffering from a special blood condition where the blood will thicken if no medication is taken.  He was taking 67 tablets daily and had to go to hospital on weekly basis to have a few bottles of medication injected .  He has accepted that he is like being sentenced to death…a slow death.  They have 2 sons. The eldest son was very reserved and the youngest boy was really active , couldn’t keep still and kept poking and touching people around him.   It was 2 years back.  Since the volunteers visit together with some financial assistance,  this family situation has changed.  The husband is on 37 tablets and is in lesser pain.  Both sons are really great.  The eldest has since excel in his study and 2^nd boy has been much matured now.  He has taken a deep interest in study and was a role model for the government kindergarden.  He will finish an activity book meant for whole year in 2 weeks.  The parents have trouble buying books for him to read and write.  Fortunately the residents passed their kids old books to him .  Both boys also have adopted a good habit.  Eldest son will collect recyclable goods at school and brings home to pass on to the volunteers.  Both boys will roam around the flats to collect the recyclable and now even the neighbours will pass their recyclable goods to the boys.   And this reminded me of Nelson Mandela.. “If human can be taught hatred, then they can be taught love”.  There is always hope around us.  Aside from educating people around the flats on recycling, they became volunteers and donors.

Raya Holidays (8 – 11 August 2013)

Spent a simple but eventful holidays.  Didn’t really go anywhere but went back to Pedas on Thursday till Saturday with mum in law.  Looked like she really missed her home.  I guess it’s like home sweet home for mum.  It was great that big sis came back to make the event merrier.  Who would have guessed that the 2 persons who cook the least at Pedas would  be able to churn up meals after meals during the few days.  We even managed to cook breakfast on Friday morning.  Nothing fantastic but its edible, haha.  On Friday, we went hunting for ginger flower to make a great dish which is lady finger and cherry tomatoes salad.  We stopped by in law orchard by the road side and met up mum’s old friend.  I could sense that they shared a special relationship, a Malay elderly lady and mum.  As their eyes met, tears welled up in mum eyes.  Good friends….both shared a deep bond.

As we left both to chat, Tong and big sis continued the hunt for ginger flower while I tried to peek into the orchard to see if there is any fruit.  On Saturday we left for KL and mum spent a night in Sri Damansara.  Mum shared her life experiences and these few days , the stories shared by her reinforced my thought of her.  I have always known that she is an intelligent lady despite not enjoying formal education.

After Kwee Yap sent mum to Cheras, I brought the 3 kids to Popular book feast which is the last day today.  phew, so grateful that we could make it.  The 2 boys have been most helpful, making sure that the small sister is safe with us.  We stopped by Jing shi section and each of us draw an alphorism.  Mine is “ Life greatest punishment is regret”… truly meaningful.  Lately I have been reminding myself of this.  I could feel that the past few years have been a really transformation years for me…. As I learnt, could feel life has slowly transformed into a meaning and joyful life. 

Tong helped again tonight to wash the dishes , I am really grateful to have 3 great kids, truly gan en.  This reinforced that the path chosen is the right path.