Dearest Mah Mah,

I am grateful to you for taking good care of me when my parents were working. The special moments we shared are always in my heart.

I remember when I was about five, you had to chauffeur Gong Gong and mum to work and included me in the carpool. At that time, it was compulsory to have four passengers in the car when entering the Central Business District. You made me feel important as the ‘fourth passenger’, instructing me to wave to the policeman on duty.

In my eyes, you are truly my heroine. At the tender age of thirteen, you had to take on the responsibility of being the sole breadwinner when your dad passed away. Despite your petite frame, you had to hack away the coconut husk to extract the flesh inside. During the three years and eight months of Japanese Occupation, you slogged at a construction site to earn daily rations for the family. How brave and strong you were!

Till today at 81, it is still surprising how you are still full of energy and so full of zest for life. You take good care of grandfather, who depends a lot on you for he is not as mobile as before. You even drive him to and fro in a Mercedes Benz!

You did not have the luxury of studying beyond Primary school and you are determined that your children and grandchildren do not miss out the opportunity to do so. You inspire the grandchildren in the family to pursue our degrees by displaying photographs of family members who graduated. Thanks to your encouragement, I’ve got my degree.

I am often drawn to your kitchen by the wonderful aroma from your cooking. Knowing how the daily strains of life might have taken a toil on our health, you would lovingly brew this herbal soup for all of us.
Even though I do not stay under the same roof as you, I always feel that it is your herbal soup that bonds us cousins together. We have a chance to really catch up with one another during these soup-serving sessions.
To me, the brewing of herbal soup represents your love for all of us, your family members. I really salute you for this touch of tender, loving care, which is irreplaceable in my heart.

I love you, Mah Mah.