Dear Grandma,

You’re the best grandma ever, having looked after both of us when we were babies, yet we seldom visit you these days, giving flimsy excuses like we’re busy with our studies when actually we prefer hanging out with our friends or doing something else.

Now I feel guilty as I’m writing this letter. Grandma, we’re sorry about deceiving and neglecting you and hope to make it up to you soon.

When we were babies, Mum told us that you took care of us when she was busy at work as you didn’t believe in hiring a maid, saying it was a waste of money.

You gave us the very best, often using your own savings when Mum’s monthly allowance was insufficient. Mum said you treated us as if we were your own children for which we’re very grateful. Even Mum has never looked after us so well.

There are two things you love doing the most – saving coins left over from your household allowance and cooking.

Thank you for keeping all the coins and giving them to us during our visits even though I’m 21 now and Sis is 18.

I guess that we’re still your darling little granddaughters whom you can’t help spoiling a little. Your coins certainly come in handy when we overspend.

Your cooking is fantastic – we love your chilli crab, chicken curry, steamed fish, otah and glutinous rice. You’ll cook up a storm whenever we visit although there are only four of us so we have to “tah pao” food home. Aunties always complain that you’re too extravagant but I believe you only indulge those you love best.

To you, food is very important. Since Mum seldom cooks, you constantly worry that we aren’t earting properly and developing well. Don’t worry about that, we aren’t eating much as we want to be slim.

I remember once you came all the way from Bukit Timah to our home in Jurong by bus in the pouring rain just to give us our favourite fried beehoon. You were not feeling well that day too. We really felt bad that you took the trouble.

I’m sad Grandpa is no longer with us since he passed away last year. I miss him, especially his “Good!” whenever I greeted him and of course, his cash and generous hongbaos.

But I would miss you even more if you were gone so I’m praying hard that you’ll live till at least 100.

I remember the many times when Grandpa called you horrible names and belittled you when you had done nothing wrong. I don’t understand how he could be so mean to you yet so kind and generous with us.

Yet I’d never seen you retaliate or lose your temper. Instead, you took the verbal abuse stoically. Others might call you submissive or stupid to suffer in silence for so long but I admire you for your strength of character.

Arguing with Grandpa would be futile as he was unreasonably self-opinionated, always believing he was right. Look what happened to Mum when she sided you once. Grandpa censured her and ordered her to leave the house.

It was only towards the last two years of Grandpa’s life that he learnt to appreciate you. When he suddenly became paralysed and helpless, he realised he had to rely on you for everything.

You didn’t turn your back on him but instead cooked organic food for him, visited him in hospital daily, took care of his toilet needs and exercised his limbs with the help of a maid.

Any woman would have left Grandpa a long time ago for his cruel treatment but not you. You stuck with him till the very end.

Grandma, you’re really an amazing woman with a heart of gold. I believe Grandpa in Heaven would agree with me now.