My grandmother was staying with my family and that gave me the privilege of being taken care of by her. It was a whole new experience for me. The tender love and care I received each day made me a fine young lady. Even though, I was mischievous she was patient with me. We had memorable times together.

A quiet evening alone with just the two of us would never be a boring one because we would always find something to do. We would watch our favourite television programs like Hi-5, prepare a snack to fill up our empty stomachs, water the plants together and make each other wet in the end, or just spend our evening by having a good nap together.

When I cry, she will wipe my tears with soothing words like I love you or a much-needed hug. I love the way she consoles people. It is as though she can change your day just like that with a hug full of love and a kiss full of sympathy.

With memories of her still etched in my mind, I can vividly remember how things began to change when I was in Primary Four. She began to experience difficulty in breathing and when her condition got worse, she had to be sent to the hospital. Those days were the days that I wished I had the power to turn back time so that everything would be back to normal, where we would laugh to our heart’s content, eat ice cream at the void deck and chat happily.

When she recovered, she was sent back to my house and my relatives would visit us very often. I liked the moments when almost all of my aunts and uncles were together under one roof. We laughed and had quality time together. I could see my grandmother having a fun time watching her daughters and sons visiting her.

However, a year later, her condition began to deteriorate despite her regular check-ups. Since I was busy with school and my grandmother had to be home alone, we decided to let her live at my aunt’s place so that someone would keep an eye on her.

I always prayed for her well-being but, she gradually began to skip meals and avoided taking her medicine as she claimed that she did not like the taste.

She was then sent to the hospital because of heart complications and she was put in the intensive care unit after a successful operation. My heart broke into many pieces watching her suffer in pain and when I said to her that she will be back home soon with me, tears rolled down her cheeks. I know she heard me but she was too weak to react and finally after weeks of suffering, she left us peacefully.

Unfortunately, I was in school that time and I got the news when I bumped into my aunt’s neighbor. I hurriedly walked back to my aunt’s place and I could not believe that she really left without saying any last words to me. But I believe that she is in a better place up there.

If she were still alive, I would say to her, “Thank you very much for your kindness and I will always love you.”