My paternal grandma pass away on 16th May 2007 at the ripe old age of 93. She was cremated at Penang’s Batu Gantong Crematorium and the ashes were put in an urn in a Chinese temple in Air Itam. Yesterday, my dad, my aunt, uncle, my youngest sister and myself paid respects to my grandma. Since she died a Buddhist, we offered prayers and food to her departed soul at the temple. May she rest in peace and may eternal light shine upon her. No more weakness, no more sufferings from old age or bad memories of struggles to bring up her 4 children single-handedly when my grandpa passed away in his thirties due to illness. She was my room mate for many years before I went to Singapore to study for my A levels.

2 days ago, on a tuesday was Granny’s 7th day death anniversary. The non-Christian members of the family bought 6 sets of fruits and flowers for granny and prayed for her. The female Buddhist monk came at around 10:30 and chanted prayers for the departed souls every day. There were booklets to follow the prayers in Mandarin characters and Chinese Han Yu PinYin. Granny’s ashes were placed in an urn and then put into the columbarium in Air Itam. It is a very peaceful place with green hills of the Penang Hill nearby. The air was fresh and cool. The urn was placed next to her sister-in-law’s urn whom I used to call “Kor Po”. She died about 16 years ago and imagine how time flies. The location was specially chosen by granny when she was much younger. Granny lived to a ripe old age of 93 and I still pray that she will find rest and peace in the life-after-death.

My nonagenarian 94 year old paternal granny passed away while having dinner at 5.15pm yesterday in Than Hsiang Temple old folks home. Her head just nod down while the maid were feeding her dinner. In recent weeks she was getting weaker, unable to feed herself anymore and the diapers has to be changed like a baby. She has gone to a better place and no longer feels weak anymore.

She’s the one whom I spent the most time with as she took care of me while both my parents went out to work. Granny was widowed young at around 32 with 4 children to bring up single-handedly. She had to sell laksa, a type of fish soup salad, waking up at 4:30 am every day to pound lots of onions, de-bone the fish and prepare other condiments for the laksa. She worked very hard and was single-minded in whatever she does. Due to the harsh environment, granny was naturally very strict in upbringing her kids and me. Even at the age of 60+, granny still cycled alone to the Jelutong market every day to buy and cook dishes for us while we were still small and schooling. She did this every day, until one day my dad told her she no longer have to slought so hard to prepare food for the family.

I pray that Eternal Rest is upon Granny and her life will be peaceful and joyful in heaven. I did let her read the words, “Jesus, I trust in you,” when she was able and she nodded her head of accepting Jesus into her life. A few days before she passed away, she did give hints that she will go to a better place and she knew she will leave this life quite soon. This was mentioned by the fellow residents there who are in constant touch with Granny. I love you, my Beloved Granny.