Appreciating my grandparents

My maternal grandparents – I am very proud of them! Besides my parents, they were the ones who were always there for me. I would never forget the time we had once shared together!

When I was young, whenever I got a scolding from my parents, they would talk to them and advise them to exercise more patience towards me. Though I was the youngest in the family, whenever I quarreled with my older cousins, instead of taking sides, which most grandparents would, they would try to find out what happened and help us reconcile with one another.

Though we do not live together, we would still make it a point to go down to their house to visit them occasionally. They were very happy whenever we visited them – they always enjoyed company and noise in the house. We would watch TV, go for walks and I would sometimes accompany them to buy 4D. They would always ask about my studies, health and offer wise advices whenever I told them about my problems. They would also give us pocket money every time – for us to spend on whatever we wanted, even though we refused.

Just like any typical grandparent, they would wake up early in the morning and go for walks. Then, they would go for ‘taiji’ lesson before eating their lunch. Because they live on their own, they would not have to worry about us, unlike some others, who have to prepare lunch and breakfast for their grandchildren. So, they would spend the rest of their time at church, reading God’s words or simply chatting with the other old people there. I have been to their church before – it is a pleasant place to be at and the people there were very friendly.

My grandparents had a very hard life since young. They were poor hence not properly educated. After having four kids – my two aunts, uncle and my mother, they had to squeeze and live together in a small flat. Though they were poor, they were very happy. Unlike us now, they did not take things for granted, and were very happy with whatever they had. Just as long as the whole family stays happy and intact, my grandfather would always say.

It has been exactly one year since my grandmother passed away. 31st July 2007, I would never forget that fateful day. I would never forget her smiles, her laughter, and her voice. She would stay in our hearts forever.