Today, 30.11.2012, marks the 67 years of my grandmother's age.
I still remember during my childhood days, we used to spend our school holiday staying with her at the village. It was really great living on the countryside with magnificent view of the gigantic Mount Kinabalu. Staying with my grandmother there was really an eye opening for me to learn the wonderful lifestyles and cultures of people there.
Back then, my grandma used to bring us to the paddy field situated on the hill. We will be there early in the morning until the sun almost set. That was when i learn the complete process of harvesting the paddy.
When there were feasts held around the village, we will always grab the opportunity to be there and only be back late at night with my drunk grandma and the fire. I mean a real fire as it is more favoured than torchlight. That was when i learnt the taste of the tasty 'tapai'.
Before sleep, my grandmother will tell us some stories while we were lying down on the mattress ~ yes my grandma don't favour a bed even until now. I still remember one of it was on dying and becoming ghost who will go around and hunt bad people and bring them into the grave ~ the story was something like that. Listening to it did make me to secretly tearing under the blanket, not because of the scary ghost but because of the fact of life of losing people around when death approached them.
It is funny when my grandma unfold some marked moments of us when we were still little ones. Each of us has our own story, i mean the siblings. Every time the telling goes we will laugh a lot. Mine was on that day when i locked myself in the house while my grandma was doing work outside. She was panic knowing about it as there was no one else in the house and i was so little to grasp the concept of unlocking the door. So she asked one of the villagers to climb over the window to go inside the house. Luckily, the door unlocked.
Now, my grandma is no longer staying in the village as all of her children are working in town. Because of the worrying condition and few time admittance to the hospital, her children decided to bring her here, in town. She is staying in our previous house which is near to one of my aunts' house and seems to enjoy the stay even though sometimes her face portrays the longing-ness of the village environment. But yes, we still pay a visit there at least once a year and i can't wait to be there again for this year, hopefully, Christmas mass :)
There were just so many countless stories of my grandmother life. So many memories cherished and i am looking forward to look for more with her. Even though, she did scold us sometimes but deep down in her heart she is a soft and lovely grandmother, a great one indeed.
She is the only grandparent i have now, literally. Both grandparents on my father side had passed away few years ago. Yes, i still have my grandfather on my mother side but now he is living with a 'new' family. I am not really sure how the story goes, but it might surely leave great impacts to my grandmother's heart. Despite of everything, she is able to solely raise her seven children. She is a strong and determine woman! My grandma is an active woman and capable of doing lots of things such as sewing, knitting, cooking, gardening, and even fishing!
On this lovely day, i would love to wish her happy birthday and thank you for everything grandma. So sorry for our undesirable behaviour. May God shower you with abundant blessings, happiness, and good health.
Lots of love, may :)
