A-Sim

A-Sim is a very special person.

I have nvr stay with A-Sim before.
Unlike my own grandma, whom I used to stay with on and off when I was young.

A-Sim have nvr given me pocket money to buy tidbits when I was young.
Unlike my own grandma, who use to bring me to the neighbourhood store to buy me tidbits.

A-Sim nvr really knew my name, not even my nick. She just noe i'm my father's daughter.
Unlike my own grandma, who noes me by my nick.

A-Sim is not my grandma, he is only my father's friend mum.
Unlike my own grandma, who is of course my father's mother.

But A-Sim is a very special person.
A-Sim feels more like a grandma then my own grandma.
(Sorry A-Nek* but its just the feeling she gave me)

*A-Nek is the hakka for gandma...

Why is this so? Actually I don't really noe A-Sim well... I just visit her every year during CNY. But what she did really touches my heart.

Some family background. My father came from a rather big family. 5 Brothers and 3 Sisters. And by the time my father is born, his eldest brother is already married. And their son is only a few years younger then my dad. So is his eldest sister. So it was a rather big family. My father still have to take care of 2 younger brothers after him.

My grandma is born in a rich family. She married my grandpa who was also quite rich during his time. So my grandma never have to do chores. From what i heard, she even has a Ya Huan with her when she got married into the family. Hence she has always lead a very tai tai live. Most of the household chores are done by the eldest daughter which is my Da Gu and later on the eldest DIL which is my Da Bo Mu.

My grandpa used to have a few shops in Chinatown and my dad has to help out in the shop from a very young age. But when the shop close down, he left to start out on his own. He doesn't stay with the family, but rather with his friends in A-Sim house.

A-Sim doesn't only provide him with a shelter... A-Sim also cooks for him, wash his clothes (even his underwear). Although dad doesn't say it, but i noe he really respects her and treat her like a mother.

Every year we will visit her house during CNY. In the recent years, our family got better off cos we children start working. Dad has more money and he will bao a very big Ang Pao for her every year. But time and again she will reject it. Although she is not doing very well financially.

Although she is very old, but I always deem her as quite healthy. Cos she is still able to walk around, do household chores and is not senile. She even do small gambling sometimes. So I was a bit shock to hear the news yesterday... even my sis din't believe it.. but she is gone... today will be her wake, but i can't attend cos mum and dad will be going in the evening when i'm working.. and i'm not sure if i have the courage.... but she will always stay in my memory... i will always remember her as a gandmotherly figure....