I might not have travelled this holiday but Im busy, packed with schedules and tasks. I have spent the time catching up with people I meet only once-every-holiday. In particular, I have spent more time with Dad.
I accompanied Dad to his Teochew Association's Xmas gathering. He has always been attending such functions alone. I thought, since Im free, why not? Socialise a bit and maybe expand my stagnated social circle. But no, they were all uncles and aunties and a hndful of very young kids. Oh well. Dad had a proud time introducing me to all is kakis though. And they all remarked "is this really your daughter? whoa so big already.... so big alr still willing to follow you here..." blah blah. Yes. I see the smiles on his face. I think, my presence made him proud. I would think so.
Today, after Dad's health appointment, I met him for lunch and shopping. A humble lunch at Chinatown's hawker center savoring a big fish together. Mum doesn't like fish so she does not cook this kinda fish. So Dad and I enjoyed it between ourselves. Dad being a social butterfly, ran into 4 or 5 of his acquaintances at Chinatown alone. And so he anyhow claimed that I wanted to eat my beloved fish so he met me at Chinatown after his appointment for lunch. WHAT? HAHA. What a liar :p I watched how he sucked every bone, wiped the bones clean of flesh and gave me the meaty parts. but Yes, he seemed to enjoy his meal so much. Fish was followed by having ourselves each a cup of long-queue kopi/teh. I don't why why there was a long queue; the drinks came in such a meager capacity of a cup and tastes like any other kopi/tea... But, it was bliss, enjoying lunch together, with a cuppa thereafter with the entire day to spend. I'm glad I shared the day with Dad. :)
We shopped (some necessities and his office shirts) and then headed home.
It was rare for me to spend time with Dad as such.
There's a barrier between Mum and Dad, and Im the adhesive.
It will be difficult for me, but I'll do it as long as I can. I foresee next half of the year will be very tedious hence Im prepared to seclude myself from the world to complete that big hurdle ahead.
Maybe, Im making up for the lost time to-be right now.
At the supermart, a granny asked me in Hokkien:
Granny: "auntie ah....." o.O *purple horned emoticon* what Auntie!!! hahaa
But she enquired for coffee sachets with milk. I chose some brands for her but she did not like those with creamer. Throughout the conversation, she shared pieces of her family with me. That she lived with her son. But her daughter-in-law or son's GF was not good. I found a can of condensed milk for her as she had wanted milk coffee. and I explained that this is what coffee shops add into their kopi-o to make kopi. She then revealed that she couldn't finish the can and is unable to use the fridge at home. Her daughter-in-law or son's GF forbids her to use the fridge. She cannot keep food in it. So she has to buy food from outside often. Having to walk a lot. Coffee costs $1 a cup. It was so expensive for her. and she added that she cries.
Why are there children as such on Earth? I wonder if I will become like this when I grow up and get consumed by society and consumerism and my own dreamy ambitions.
How? How do I react when she tells me such stuffs? I could only listen and console her with some positive words.
She walked away with her kopi-o sachets in the end.
I am eternally greatful to be conversant in Hokkien to be able to hold a proper conversation with the elderly.
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