Could she have known?

My hand absent-mindedly fiddled with the gold bangle on my right hand. I glanced at it and smiled. It was a gift from my grandmother earlier this year. She was in the pink of health then.

Two months after the Chinese lunar new year, grandma started sorting through her jewellery and gave instructions to my mom and aunt as to whom each piece was to go to in event of her passing. I was to take a photo of each item and tag it with her voice recording.

Having dealt with the major items, she showed me the remaining odds and ends and asked me to choose one. I picked the bangle simply because I have the baby version of it.

I wore it often as it made me feel close to grandma. It reminded me of the time she told me a secret.

She had a mild stroke shortly after the lunar new year. After her discharge from hospital, I went back to visit her. When she saw me, she tearfully said, "Amak boh yong" (I am useless). She felt bad for falling ill and making us worry. I wiped away her tears, hugged and kissed her, held her hands and told her that it's not her fault. She then told me that I was her favourite grandchild. No ones else heard except mom

It was after this incident that she decided to put her affairs in order. Before that, she never wanted to even speak about her wishes for "send-off", the ceremony rites or her will. But after that stroke, she asked my mom to engage a will writer and made plans for her possssions.

A few months after her will was signed, her health started to deteriorate. She was in the hospital for longer stretches each time. I went home every weekend to be with her sometimes working from her bedside at the hospital.

Mid-April, she suffered several successive fits attacks and became unconsciousness. She regained consciousness shortly before her birthday and was discharged from hospital. There was nothing more that the doctors could do.

Grandma went home and passed away 4 days after her 84th birthday. It was a Thursday.

Had she known that her time with us was running out? Was that why she gave me a momento while she was alert and well? Was she also preparing us when she was preparing her will?

blogging from my E71

Caution: Man with big ego driving big car

Ever noticed that majority of people who drive big cars ergo are financially well off are morally and humanely bankrupt? Case in point: it was chock-a-block traffic downtown. A guy driving an XC90 was bumped by a man driving a less expensive car. For the sake of simplification, let's call the guy in the XC90, Mr V and the chap in the less expensive car, Mr M.

The damage was not catastrophic but there was a noticeable scratch along the side of Mr V's car. The damage to Mr M's car was hidden from my view.

Mr V stormed out of his car, guns blazing, gesticulating furiously at Mr M, colourful language spewing forth from his mouth. He was turning various shades of red, working himself into a frenzy. Perhaps the fact that Mr M remained in his car and not firing back made Mr V even more agitated for his voice increased several decibles and attracted the attention of the traffic policeman presiding over the congested intersection.

By now, Mr V was livid and was inconsolable. Mr M refused to participate in his shouting match and the traffic policeman was trying to smooth over the situation.

My question is: what did Mr V have for sahur (the meal before commencement of fast at dawn) this morning? Gun powder? Isn't the fasting month supposed to be one of quiet reflection, calm and finding peace with oneself and one's surroundings? Why did Mr V feel the need to work himself up like that? He must have been living a particularly stressful life being rich and driving an expensive car.

Second case in point: I was driving past the exit of a parking lot. Mr Camry came barreling out so I gave way. He nay said a word of thanks nor did he gesture an acknowledgement which led me to conclude that people who drive big cars have no manners.

Rich in material gains but bankrupt in curtesy and manners. What to do? Life's laidet (",)

blogging on the go with my E71