Author: See Toh Poh Danie
Introduction
My father often shared with the family that my grandfather left his hometown in China, travelled months through bad storms and weather, to come to Singapore to earn a decent living. My grandfather met my grandmother in Singapore. However, my grandmother passed away when my father was very young. Hence, I grew up without any recollection of my grandmother and my grandfather never mention about her but I only can only imagine through a black and white old photo of her that was used to hung on the wall of my grandfather’s house. My grandfather has never re-married since then.
Growing up
My grandfather is a traditional Chinese man who often kept his stern poised figure in the family. We lived far apart from his house and he will take public transport to visit us at our place. He knew there were hard times my family were facing and my parents were uneducated, so often he will give some money to my mother to tie through that time. When we have time and during festive event, we will visit my grandfather at his place. His house was always crowded with people playing majong but he would not participate but often smoke and watched them play.
Family discord at age of 12
Terrible news broke to us about my grandfather’s passing in his house. In his house, at the age of 12, I witnessed my family and relatives were having huge argument about the settlement of my grandfather’s possessions. As a result, my family and relatives did not meet ever again. That saddened me a lot. Family harmony is hard to up keep and we should try our very best to keep it.
