It’s Monday today!
Ever since after the pandemic lockdown, I take Mum for her senior activity at Bethesda Frankel Estate Church where I used to worship. Initially she didn’t want to go. She had gotten so comfortable sitting in her room – no social life, no interaction. Because of health challenges and the passing away of many of her buddies, she lost interest in going out, watching TV. It was just Mum, our helper, and myself. I saw the lockdown steal away her life.
Me: Mum, let’s go for the seniors programme at church.
Mum: I don’t want to go. You go.
Me: Let’s go kaypoh (busybody) and see what’s going on. Let’s just go once. We don’t have to go any more after that.
We were so surprised to see over 100 people in the auditorium at Kampung Siglap. It was so vibrant and buzzing with life. Many of the members were my friends from long time ago when I worshipped there. They recognised Mum and warmly welcomed her.
Senior1: Aunty! So good to see you!… Aunty how young are you?
Mum: I’m 90!
Senior1: WOW! Aunty, you look so young! What is your secret?
Senior2: Aunty, when I grow old, I want to be just like you!
Mum to me (privately): What’s so good about me? Why do they want to be like me?
Suddenly, Mum had a purpose to live. She had become a role model!
The next week, I asked if she wanted to go and she said, “NO!” 😢 I didn’t push it.
On Sunday night (the night before 40:31), she said, “What time are we going tomorrow?!” 😅
I’ve seen a lot of elderly wither away from boredom and loneliness. God says to us:
Even to your old age I am he,
and to gray hairs I will carry you.
I have made, and I will bear;
I will carry and will save. – Isaiah 46:4
In our old age, we need God AND we need one another.
– Angeline Koh, a “junior” senior