Mother's Mangoes

Sunday, 25 June 2006

These mangoes must be waiting for me to take picture of them! I have said that I wanted to take a picture when Uncle Ni and Sister Monica were here!

Little Clinton was asking me "Aunty, when are you going to take a picture?" I better do it before they are all gone from the branches. I can't remember when was the last time Mother's tree had so many!

Mother has 2 big mango trees, that are over 20 years old and are still fruiting. They are different types. Mum would collect the ones that had dropped to the ground and sell them. They smell good, taste good and there are no worms!

You Never know

Monday, 19 June 2006

Death is part of life. If we read the newspapers, we would see death announcements everyday. I hardly buy the newspapers now since I could access the news from the internet.

Today, the news came to me in 3 different forms: telephone, email and person:

Morning: Gan phoned me last Friday and I agreed to meet him, at his office, this morning. He said he would be in between 10-12 am, but I thought I phoned and doublechecked. He had wanted to meet with me since our last meeting on the 17 March but I was away from town.

I couldn't believe my ears! The receptionist answered "Gan had passed away". I said "Are you joking?" "I spoke to him only 3 days ago." "When and what happened?" She said "During the weekend, heart attack". I think I said to her a couple more times "True kah? How come?"

Afternoon: Jackie emailed me and informed me that Chiam's father had passed away. I don't know Chiam's father but I know Chiam.

Night: Looks like there was something going on with a neighbour. Canvas were set up outside their house. There were tables and chairs. I had to be guided while I reversed out of my garage so as not to knock the cars that were parked in the narrow street. I asked another neighbour "What happened?" He answered "Chua had a heart attack this morning". I know Chua.

Gan's death had an effect on me, which no other deaths had. He was someone I had put off meeting with until this morning and our meeting will be forever put off! Life is unpredictable. It is not according to our will but God's will. Gan didn't expect that he would die. He had promised to meet me! Let us do what we want to do and can do, as if today is the last day!