“Why are you staring at those durians?”
“Nothing…”
“Do you want it?”
“No.. it’s ok, Nina. It’s too expensive..”
“Nothing is too expensive for my grand daughter.”
********
“No, that’s not the right way to fry a fish!”
“But I like it that way. I want it to be crispy!”
“You’re doing it the wrong way! Those fishes are going to end up on your plate without their skins..”
“I like the fish that way, ok?”
“I’m just teaching you..”
********
“You shouldn’t play with that dead fish. It used to be your pet!”
“I’m not playing with it. I’m cremating it.”
“Just bury or throw it away!”
“But I wanna cremate it..”
“Jagalah kau, hujan kuat kama kau bikin tu!”
(“Oh just you wait, it’s gonna rain heavily soon because of you!”)
********
“Nina, that purse is beautiful. Who got it for you?”
“Your cousin, Martina gave it to me. Beautiful, isn’t it?”
“But.. Nina, it was ME who gave it to you..”
“Oh dear, it was you? I’m so sorry.. I couldn’t remember well these days..”
********
“Nina.. do you miss Moing?”
“Of course I do, dear… he was my husband..”
“I miss him too.. ”
“It’s ok. I will meet him again soon.”
*********
Those were some of the many conversations I had with my late grandmama. A strict, traditional grandmother who would always keep an eye on everything we do. She would complain about the way I cook, the way I prepare my foods, the way I treat my dead pets.. she was always there to correct us.
She was also a very generous grandmama to her grandchildren. I have always been looking forward for her visit as a child, because not only she buys us gifts and toys, she’d give us angpow (money) too. I remember when I was about the age of 5, she gave me and my brother each a RM50 note, to buy candies she said. She was the one who bought me and my brother our first “car” and bicycle.
Oh dear, I don’t think I could continue writing about her today. My eyes are all wet and I’m already crying, just thinking of her. :-(
Nina, my dearest grandmama, I know you’re happily smiling, looking at me from heaven right now. I know that you know how much we miss you and still talk about you dearly. And on this special day, I’d like to take this opportunity to tell you that you were THE BEST grandmama I’ve ever had. Do send my love to Moing and Wendy over there too, will you please? :-)
Happy All Souls Day!
In loving memory of Mdm. Lojihing M.
When we were stating in Kudat, I used to hang out with her near the stairs in the old house. I would lie down on my back, legs on the wall and asked her to repeat after me. I’ll say a few words / sentence in English and she will try to repeat it. Of course I had a good time cos the English has a very heavy accent of Kadazan…
Strangely, the strongest memory I have is when she was with us in Tawau and she bought us some super expensive durians that someone was selling at the walkway near a supermarket.
We love you grandma. Thanks for all you have done for your family.
Cindy: Oh dear, I remember THAT! She was trying to speak in English, all thanks to you. LOL!! That was really, really funny! And you were laughing at her too on her every attempt. LOL! So cute lar~
Yes, I remember those durians too. In fact, I was talking about THOSE durians in the first paragraph. It was outside of Tawau Shopping Centre where she got those durians. Expensive.. too expensive, yet she bought those for us.
November 2nd, 2007 at 8:42 am
Cindy: Ya lar.. I miss having my grandparents around again..
November 2nd, 2007 at 8:45 am
i have misty eyes already.
May all the souls of those we love dearly be blessed.
Cindy: Amen
November 2nd, 2007 at 9:18 am
Awww… I’m sure she’s looking over you in heaven with her beloved Moing. They’re blessed to have a wonderful granddaughter like you… Bless their souls..
Cindy: Thank you, Syura. Bless their souls..
November 2nd, 2007 at 2:43 pm
All grandma’s are like that but deep down inside you know they love you and that’s all that matters. I’m sure she’s proud of you and if she was reading your blog in heaven (urrmmmm, do they have internet in heaven, ah?) she’ll be very touched that you dedicated a post about her.
Cindy: I bet they have super fast Internet connection over there!
November 2nd, 2007 at 3:01 pm
be strong eh, cindy… I’m sure she’s looking over you from above.. :-)
Cindy: I’m pretty sure about that too. Thank you, Lucy.
November 2nd, 2007 at 6:52 pm
Isk! Sedihnya
My grandma and me were not very close, we didn’t have any funny conversations… wish we did
It feels ‘empty’ inside when my mom is not around anymore. I’m sad being far away (unable to visit her grave back home) esp. on All Soul’s Day. God bless their souls.
Cindy: I know how you feel, Nessa. I couldn’t visit their grave on this special day too..
I guess I would only be offering them prayers this year.
November 2nd, 2007 at 7:11 pm