Storytelling

March 13, 2023.Reading time 6 minutes.

My mum is a depository of stories. Sometimes a little unclear but mostly interesting. Her stories have given me precious glimpses into the various phases of her life. That said, there is one peculiar but still interesting story about two young girls, who visited her and played hide and seek in her condominium. She saw […]

Transmitting

January 2, 2023.Reading time 6 minutes.

I didn’t know what RCA was. I didn’t know there were male and female cables or jacks. Yes, what rock was I living under? The electronic, electrical and technology boulder-rock. Yes, that same boulder-rock that initiates shut down of all brain function the minute anything electronic, electrical and technology is mentioned. I was in the […]

Half-siblings

November 14, 2022.Reading time 6 minutes.

My mum has been chattier of late. Sharing stories with sister number 3 and me. Some people, some events I was already familiar with. Some not. I knew my mum is the first born in the family of three girls. Her parents, my grandparents, were Tulasi and Sandrakasan. I also knew that my grandmother was […]

Different things

October 24, 2022.Reading time 6 minutes.

My husband and I had a nice send off after our holiday at the Tanjong Jara resort last week. Some staff gathered to wave us goodbye and wish us a safe journey home. I chatted with Chef Ann while my husband walked over to collect our car. Tanjong Jara’s designated parking area is situated close […]

Ordering food

October 3, 2022.Reading time 6 minutes.

I use food delivery platforms. Mainly to order vegetarian meals for my mum. Convenient, yes. But, not always straightforward. Like most things, I guess. My mum is the end user. I place the orders. She knows nothing about ordering online via a mobile phone or computer. She doesn’t want to know. She’s never been one […]

Turning 89

September 26, 2022.Reading time 6 minutes.

My mum turns 89 tomorrow. A milestone, and an achievement. Especially considering the tough year the old girl has had. Gratefully, through most of it, she has managed to remain curious, chatty, and alert. Yay. I like birthdays. Cake or cakes, presents, balloons, decorations. Fuss and focus on number 1. What’s there not to like? […]

A year on

August 29, 2022.Reading time 6 minutes.

It’s August 2022. A year on and my mum is coming along as well as can be expected. I am super grateful. This time last year, my mum’s health took a turn. It all began after she had fallen off her queen-sized bed on 10 August. As she sat on the floor at the foot […]

Stepping up

August 1, 2022.Reading time 6 minutes.

Sister number 2 left last Tuesday. She arrived from Sydney on 1 June, almost 2 months ago, to be with our mum and care for her. I miss her as does our mum. I’m not sure if sister number 2 was fully aware of the extent of caring required for our mum. I’m also not […]

Praying and rituals

May 16, 2022.Reading time 6 minutes.

My mum retracts her legs and covers her feet when she watches the images of gods on TV. She prays when she sees the ‘Thivarthanam’ or oil lamp/light offering to the deities. She does so each morning as she listens and watches Astro’s Channel 201 that features devotional songs, prayers and rituals conducted in temples […]

Ticking time

February 28, 2022.Reading time 6 minutes.

My mum is a stickler for time. A clock watcher. Even now. Ailing with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and heart failure, her days are influenced by time. She has clocks everywhere in her condominium. One large analogue clock by her bedside wall. Another digital facing her. Two large ones in the lounge and kitchen. She […]