Finally, no more pain...she's gone to a better place to rest....

Finally, my grandma passed on this morning...She was 98years old.

Grandma only started staying at my place during my teens years. She used to tell me her WWII stories... how she rubbed charcoal on her face, chopped off her hair in a messy state to disguise as a girl to prevent getting into trouble with the Jap Soldiers... etc...Her sense of humour never fails to amuse me cos she always had "modern" thinking and together, I managed to get my dad's approval to buy some short mini shorts/skirts (grandma convinced him that it was good investment)!

Grandma gave me the impression that she was a very brave girl in her youth.... she even tended to a vegetable stall alone during her old age just to pass time and earn some decent income (without being dependent on her children).... she never gives up....

For the past 5-6years, she was really suffering... in pain, bedridden, blind, lack of appetite, no control over her bowel movements etc. Despite all these, she was in good spirit and will always guess correctly who I am when she hears my voice. For the past years, she was totally dependent on her daughter, my step mother, Linda.

I cant say that I get fantastically well along with Linda, we seem to have an unsaid agreement and stick our side of the house... we rarely have much to talk abt, but I sincerely thank her for being a great wife to my father and I admire her dedication and commitment to her own mother.

Grandma was initially staying with her son at Bedok, but when her health took a turn for the worse some 5/6years ago, it seemed like she was too much a trouble to her sons and their wives - so she moved in with us. Then some 2 years ago, she moved back to 1 of her son's place 2.5 bustops away from my house. So everyday, 3 times a day(sometimes 4), Linda would walk to and fro the 2.5 bustops' distance to her brother's place to feed, wash, change and tend to her mother. The only reason why Grandma moved there was this:
"The elder should only pass away at a Son's place and never a Daughter’s; else the son will appear to be not filial to outsiders..." Grandma was moved to this son's place with the help of the ambulance, this was how frail she was then!

Yes, absurd it may sound.... but it happened in Linda's family...

So for the past 2+ years, Linda could not join my family for the occasional Family Dinner (even at the market), go for her yearly religious pilgrimage in Malaysia, nor visit other places during Chinese New Year... she had not Public Holidays, nor MC.... In grandma's exact words (when she was still sane):" If not for Linda, there would have been worms in my adult diapers and no 1 would noticed..."

This morning at ard 2am, Grandma passed on....
Linda couldnt make it on time to Changi General Hospital as the nurse only called ard 1.30am.
As she broke the news to me this morning, tears welled up in her eyes... I couldnt comfort her enough for her loss... but secretly I thank God for ending this whole ordeal.... for my Grandma to leave with dignity, and the relief on Linda's responsibilities... I know Grandma will want Linda to be free too...

God Bless Ah Ma... =)