Xin Nian Kuai le!

Happy Chinese New Year 2011 to all who celebrated CNY. May this year brings a lot of success and wealth to all of us.

I remember whenever this season comes; my whole family will go to Kampung Ghana(Membakut), to celebrate CNY with our Grand Uncle who lives alone. He cannot talk but he hears. Every year we will bring food to celebrate CNY with him. Everything is so minimal back then, but the most important thing is we are together as a family. He tried to cook too, but mostly we will ask him to just sat back and enjoy the food we brought. Many years ago, there is no tv, so all we can see is the paddy field, birds chirping, kerbau-kerbau, the dogs…just enjoying the scenery..oh, the mud..so no reason to wear high heels! Although it is not glamorous, we still enjoy our visits. He tried to talk to us by using gestures. He did not do the professional sign language. Sometimes it is hard for me to understand, but as years went by, I can catch at least the core thing he wants to ‘say’. At one time, when my grandma and cousins occupied the balcony,gruuhhhhh! runtuh! I can say it is the moment that I will never forget. Luckily the other part of the house was safe. Although I can say it is pretty damage. So after that incident, my grandpa applied to get subsidy for my Grand Uncle. So within a year, he had a new home. =) We were very happy.

Back in 2008, we celebrated the best Chinese New Year ever! As usual, we will bring our own food, but something was unusual that year. I was (indeed, my family too) felt a certain ‘feeling’ and we realized that especially when we were walking in the paddy field to go to Grand Uncle’s house. I thought it is only a feeling. Another unusual thing is that, Grand Uncle wanted (so bad) my grandpa to get some fireworks. He never wanted fireworks during Chinese New Year.So, that night, we have fireworks! It is so loud and clear..He seemed so excited and happy..Smiling..and suddenly Grand Uncle stumbled, he cannot stand straight. He gets a heart attack. So we brought him to his room..lay him down..I can see he is in shock. It must be the fireworks. So I rubbed his head with minyak kapak. He seems okay after that..I was relieved. The most memorable face is that when we all hugged him, I can see tears in his eyes. I can see he is very happy that day. It was the best CNY so far..But, 3 days after that, my dad received a phone call from grandpa…Grand Uncle has passed away..My heart just stopped, I cannot think that time..I was just…blank..thinking back all the time we have spent with him..it was just like an instant flashbacks from the past..and just a blink of an eye, he is suddenly gone..I cannot believe it..Is this real? halo?! So, that night, I cried myself to sleep..The most heartbreaking news is that, one of the villagers saw him in ‘swollen’ condition. Not that he’s beaten up or something..he just.. ‘bubbled up’. It was believed that, he died few days before..that means 3 days before was the last good bye from Grand Uncle. And few hours later..he was gone. We suspected he had another heart attack, but because he live alone, so nobody knows what he’d been through..no one can help him. Next thing I know, we had the funeral went on. I chose not to look at his body. I just don’t want to remember him that way. To this day, I still remember Grand Uncle. Although he is a Buddhist, I hope that the Lord will take care of him. I always hope for this one.

So, till today, we never go to Kg. Ghana anymore. I heard that my grandpa ask somebody to live in Grand Uncle’s house..to take care of the house.
Well, this is one memorable CNY. Story of my life. I was just happy to be able to meet Grand Uncle for the last time during CNY. We love you Grand Uncle and I will always remember you. Right now, appreciate the family you had, as they are still here with us. Continue to do the best for those we love. For what is gone, will never come back. But always remembered.