Four Generations

A Royal Family Cruise 2024

I had planned to continue sharing what I started yesterday, ie. the painful parts of Mum’s and my journey but it means revisiting things we sometimes don’t want to remember. I also want to take time to share in a truthful and honouring way. Bare with me if my thoughts come across random.

Let me jump to something more light hearted today.

From 28 November to 2 December, 2024, our family went a Royal Caribbean cruise on Anthem of the Seas. Our company of eight comprise Mum and myself, Mum’s son and daughter-in-law, grandson #1 and his wife (grand daughter-in-law), and their son (Mum’s great grandson), and grandson #2. Grand daughter #3 had to miss the trip because of her final nursing exams.

Our short four nights-five days cruise took us to Penang and Phuket. The last time we travelled as a family was when Mum’s grandchildren were below ten. My brother had taken Mum and I on many trips but they were without the children. His family went on yearly trips without us. I suppose his family trips were young people oriented. Mum likes to shop and eat while the growing children needed the sun, sea, and sand. When the pandemic lockdown came, we began to see each other less and less.

I felt strongly that our four generation family needed to go on a trip with Mum while she is still cognisant and mobile. If we are not intentional about our plans, nothing happens. I told Mum we have to make memories for you, your children, grandchildren, and only great grandson.

Mum who does not splurge on herself generously agreed to give the whole family a treat – an invitation that only required a YES! Of course we all said YES except my niece who had her final year exams. Our cousin connected us with a helpful travel agent who booked us into four cabins with a balcony next to each other. She lavished on us. Cousin also connected us with a trustworthy Thai driver who took our company of eight around Phuket.

Till today, Mum talks about how her son and two grandsons carried her wheelchair like a royal sedan chair from the big ship onto the ferry and in to Phuket. They had many opportunities to dish out food for her, talk to her, push her wheelchair, etc. Before the trip, her great grandson took a long time to warm up to us during our not-so-often visits. After the cruise, he would high-five with Mum and respond to her.

“Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”

– Ephesians 6:2-3, ESV