Happy Birthday Ah Mah!

It's Ah Mah's birthday. My brother organised a family gathering at East Ocean Teochew Restaurant in Ngee Ann City for dinner, so we didn't go back after Sophie's art class. It was a good 3 hours away so we did as much shopping as possible while waiting. But by 6pm, I was quite ready to just find a place to sit and wait for 7pm to come. Fortunately, my parents and my brother's family arrived much earlier.

 

Frankly, I don't like dinner gatherings. My kids are often too tired and cranky to enjoy the food. We are often stressed out as a result. However, I know how much such family gatherings mean to Ah Mah. She no longer feels well enough to travel far or do anything tiring yet she looked very happy and energetic at dinner. Ironically, we were the tired and bothered lot.

My brother also plans to take my parents on a trip to Taiwan this December and we are invited to join them. I am not keen on Taiwan but I know this is probably Ah Mah's last overseas trip so we are definitely joining them. I do have worries though. Alfee and Sophie are both very young and super challenging to manage. I really don't know what to expect from Taiwan, especially after our discussion with my brother.

Sophie made Ah Mah very happy when she voluntarily went up to her and wished her a happy birthday. She loves her grandparents and they appreciate such childlike innocence and expression of affection. It's a pity we were never taught to show our love openly like children. Personally, I doubt I can ever say 'I love you' to my parents. We are so fortunate that Sophie and Alfee say that  to us so often.

I was comparing the recent pictures with older ones and I realised my parents have really aged a lot over the last few years. Reality hits me that my parents are in mid seventies now and we should spend more time together. I wish I could do more for them but my hands are tied. Hopefully, they will enjoy the Taiwan trip and have great memories.

Sophie only has one cousin from my side of the family and she's Zixin. At 9 years old, she's tall and very quiet. She has always been well behaved and mild mannered, unlike my vivacious Sophie. It's my wish that both of them will love each other as sisters and keep in touch. Sophie needs a sister and a friend.