My mom went for surgery on 7 July and then she developed complications so she had to spend a longer time in the hospital. While there, we celebrated her 81st birthday on 20 July. She couldn’t eat her birthday cake though because at that time she was on drips.
The following week, we celebrated Paul Kia’s birthday. Mom couldn’t join us, though.
In August, we celebrated Melissa’s birthday over a dim sum brunch. And yes, without mom either.
My father loved orchids and he used to plant many different types of orchids in the front and back of our house. When he passed away, we gave away most of them except this one (above). The flower bloomed a few days ago so I took a picture of it.
A few weeks before he passed on, he fixed up a DIY cupboard and I helped him. Usually he would do all the DIY stuff on his own and he was very good at it. But for that particular cupboard, I helped him. I kinda knew that we wouldn’t be having too many father and daughter days left. So I wanted to spend time doing things with him.
I guess he knew he was going to leave us soon because he took me along with him to his usual haunts the few weekends before he left us. He showed me where the hardware shop was and the things that I could buy from there like paints, water taps, wires, rubber hoses and such. He even taught me how to clean the paintbrush after painting. Then he took me to the wet market. I don’t usually go there because my father was the one who did the marketing in the family. That’s because he was an early riser and he would have bought all the food from the wet market and brought them home before we woke up. Sunday mornings were his marketing days and he would also buy breakfast for us. So, one Sunday I had to wake up at an unearthly hour to follow him to the wet market. He showed me the stalls he bought the fish, chicken, vegetables and breakfast. Then, it was the Chinese sinseh/sundry shop where he bought the bread from. My father was a creature of habit, he will buy the same food from the same stall and bread from the same sundry shop…. every time.
I still remember that even when his health was failing, he was still the strong and determined man who insisted on protecting and providing for the family. A friend once told me that she was glad that she didn’t miss the chance to take care of her ailing and aged parents. I agree with her totally.
Happy Father’s Day.
Mother’s Day was two days ago, but it’s never too late to wish all you special mothers out there especially my own mom, a very Happy Mother’s Day. My lovely mom was in hospital on Sunday and we had to make do with just a card and a piece of cake for her. But she’s out of the hospital now and her appetite is good, so we will take her out for dinner this weekend, perhaps.
My mom probably will never read my blog, but she knows that I love her. A mother’s love is unconditional, and I’m blessed to be showered with my mother’s love till today. She loves me no matter if I was good or naughty. She has equipped me with all that I need to survive in this world and she has taught me the good values in life.
May God bless my mom and all mothers in the world!
Penny For Your Thoughts