Chinese New Year - Past, Present and Future~

It was 9 something in the morning. My eldest aunt and her husband were in the room. My father signalled to my sister and I to go into that room. At first, I looked around, scared - the bed next to my grandma's held a man who was so very ill. But then I soon realized that my grandma was the same, if not worse.

Uncle Kuna was reciting a short prayer for grandma by her side. When I saw her, I couldn't control my tears: she was gasping for air, so very gasping for dear air. She had an oxygen mask, but it didn't look like it was helping her very much, if at all.

"Shhh," was all my sister could say while rubbing my back. I clasped my hands over my mouth to soften the sobs - what seemed like a futile action. Pa finally took us out of the room.

He told us that the doctor had said that grandma would only be around for just a few more days.
We finally accepted the truth, after two weeks of sheer suspense.

My eldest uncle and his wife, my eldest aunt and her husband, Pa, my sister and I were waiting at the corridor of the hospital. Within that five hours we were there, my external family: granduncles, grandaunts and all, came to visit grandma for the last time.

Since there was nothing much we could do, someone suggested we went home to rest. We decided to go to my second aunt's house in Cheng.

It was 3.30pm. We were having tea break - currypuffs, goreng pisang and coffee. Everyone looked beat. 10 minutes later, De Kor's phone started ringing.

"Hello?" She answered. That was all she could say. She started to wail and dropped to the floor, phone flung off. That was when it all sank in. Everyone knew what exactly the caller on the other line had told her. My sister and I tried to comfort De Kor but to no avail. Everyone there started wiping their eyes on the sleeves of their shirts. After what seemed like forever, De Kor started to calm down. Uncle Kuna recited a prayer for all of us.

On the 19th of February, 2010 at 3.40pm, the 6th day of Chinese New Year, my beloved grandmother had passed away.



Chinese New Years are always special to me. I look forward to it every year just because all my aunts and uncles came back from outstation and the reunion dinners always were exciting. We were always wondering what 4th grandaunt would prepare for us.

Every year since forever (since I can ever remember; this tradition dates back to when my father was dating my mother, or even when my father was still a kid), we would all gather in my grandparents' place in Limbongan on the first morning of New Year's to go visit all my relatives (granduncles and grandaunts from both sides of my paternal grandparents). We had developed this little sequence, and every year it would be the same or there would be a little difference on which house we went to first, but every house that we visited each year would not be missed.

Usually, the sequence goes like this:
Firstly, we went to my eldest granduncle's house in Tangga Batu. Next, we would visit what we call "The House on the Hill", not far off my eldest granduncle's house. This is where grandma would always pray at - the altar of the house.

Thirdly, to Lao Sa Chek's house (3rd granduncle). This house, we call it the "Chinese Tea house" because Lao Sa Chek would always serve us chinese tea, different from the other houses that we usually visit. Then, we would visit Lao Tua Kor (eldest grandaunt) in Bukit Rambai.

These granduncles and grandaunts of mine mentioned here are from my grandfather's side. On the first day of Chinese New Year, we would never have to worry about lunch because my grandaunt or granduncle from my grandmother's side would always prepare for us.

I would always hear from my friends (after school reopens) that they received so and so amount as their angpao money (which is a lot, like RM700-RM1000 even). Although we visit many houses during Chinese New Year, albeit the number of angpaos I receive, the amount does not reach the ones as stated by my friends. But I'm not complaining; I love the fact that I actually do visit my relatives during the time of joy. Some people don't even get to experience what I've gone through, which is so much fun.



This year, I would not be celebrating Chinese New Year.
Pa even said that from now on, Chinese New Years are not going to be the same as before, as our rock has gone.
But I will always remember it as being a festival which brings the family so much closer together. =)

Rest in peace, grandma.
You'll forever be in our hearts.