Page 65 - Cherished Memories of Yesteryears - A Collection of Grandparents' Life Experiences

My great-grandmother is 102 years
old. She cannot walk, is hard of
hearing and can barely see well.
However, she is a very friendly person
and enjoys eating and talking. She
had a hard life as her family was poor,
and had to take up many jobs, such as
being a Samsui woman and washing
people’s clothes. After my great-
grandfather had his legs amputated,
she had to take on the burden of
feeding the family, which included
12 mouths to feed. Due to the family’s
dire financial circumstances, they
had to make a heartbreaking decision
to sell two of her older sons away. Life
was still difficult after their sons
were sold and another one passed. As
a Samsui woman, she had to carry
many bricks to build houses for the
British immigrants. Her headgear
was blue, and she keeps it to this day.
“Never to make decisions solely out of fear as it will
One of the stories that my great- create regrets in life.”
grandmother has told me is that when

my great-grandfather used to be able to walk with grandmother regularly. She feels remorseful for
a walking stick, being an impatient person, he not taking care of my late grandparents well.
would hit her with the walking stick if she was I find this story interesting because there are
slow in responding. As a result, she feared him, many things to learn from it. For example, I will
and she would listen and follow whatever decisions not make decisions based on money and will not
he made or said. do something out of fear, as that will bring about
regrets.
My grandmother shared that my grandfather had
to quit school at nine to support the family. When Due to a language barrier, my great-grandmother
he married my grandmother, he could not provide and I hardly communicate. However, my family
for the family as much, so both were chased out wishes her good health, and like any other
while a few grandaunts gained favour from my grandparents, we know that it is their wish for me
great-grandparents. to enjoy good health and a blissful life.

Out of fear, great-grandmother had to resign to Loo Hin Kit
fate and take care of their children. Years passed, Primary 6.5 (2022)
and my grandfather and grandmother passed
away, but my family still visits my great-

Cherished Memories of Yesteryears 61