grandma

As I gave those cold finger tips a squeeze, they didn't even have the strength to squeeze back. Holding her wrinkly hand in mine, it felt so reminiscent of the times when she was healthier. Even though I was old enough to cross the road on my own, these very same fragile hands would always take mine and gently lead me to safety on the other side.

My grandmother has always been something. Surviving the Japanese Occupation at the tender age of 16, she came out nearly unscathed and untainted, even though life was tough and there had been so many close calls. Almost singlehandedly raised and cared for the well being of her 6 children, moving on to participate in the raising and caring of her 11 grandchildren. She stood faithfully by her husband's side to the point of his death and outlived him by 14 years.
She's always been the mediator, the peacemaker of the family. Motherly, tactful and ever so patient. Not to forget a great cook. A whole lot of good humour and compassion to top it off.
She's a woman caught in between the generations. On one hand she retains a lot of her "pantang-ness" and old superstitions, on the other she's a hip lil' ol' lady who is up to date in the happenings of our generation. No other 80 year old grandmother would enjoy watching WWE Raw and TNX Explosion almost every night. Or catch up with the latest gossip in zhao bao. Or watch Meteor Garden and all those Korean serial dramas or profess that the dudes from F4 are
quite dashing. Not many grandmas will enjoy fastfood once in a while like pizza or the kfc coselaw. Not many grandmas can jig to jazz and rock and roll and even allow herself to be kissed on the cheek by total strangers. What a darling.
She's really special huh?
As time slips away, so does the little life remaining...

My only comfort is that someday we will meet again in a place where pain and suffering doesn't exist. I wish you could have known God a little earlier, but at least there's eternity for that.