Every day conversations with Mum
On the second evening of the Chinese New Year, I needed to go to the NTUC supermarket just across the road to pick up some grocery. My helper and I made it an evening out for Mum after dinner. We stepped out of the house at about 8.30 pm. We made her walk a bit – haha from apartment to the lift! 😅. At the ground floor, she got onto her “Rolls Royce” wheelchair and chauffeured to the supermarket.
We later took her to the newly created green space and exercise machines next to the supermarket. The swing is a feature I have not seen elsewhere. Very nice. After that, we took her to the new green space just along our block. They opened it on first day of the Chinese New Year (CNY). We enjoyed the cool breeze.
We received a lot of CNY goodies. My diabetic Mum would see the sealed containers and ask for it to be opened.
Mum: I want to eat the tarts… I want the Love Letters… I want the nuts… I want the cookies…
At the supermarket, it was the same. She wanted to buy everything she saw on the racks!
Me: Mum! NO! We have to finish what we open before buying or opening another. I know you. You will eat one or two pieces then you don’t want it any more. Then WE have to finish the rest.
My helper reported to me later.
Helper: Mama said I want to eat the cookies but I have to pass through TWO immigration officers (ie. Helper and myself) before I can have them. Now I cannot churik makan (literally steal to eat, quietly sneak to eat without getting caught). 🤣
Mum’s left hand is still in a brace. She only has use of one hand and can’t open the cookie containers. She’s far from senile.
2 comments
LC Lee
Your mum has good handwriting!! Tell her I admire her cursive writing!!
initially I thought you used some software to create the card cum message., haha…
Angeline Koh
Haha. It’s really her writing. I keep many of her old Ang Pows. I see writing become more and more a struggle. How precious our days together are.