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My maternal grandmother (last & only surviving grandmother I knew) passed away in August 2001.
My grandmother has 13 children, not uncommon for women in her generation. We are very proud of our extended family.
We wanted to take an extended family photograph a couple of years back but no one took the initiative.
When we finally met, it was for grandmother's funeral. The sky was clear and lots of old friends including those from the kampung came.
Alive, grandmother loved crowds and enjoyed having lots of people around (so says her daughters). She would have been proud to see how grand the Taoist rituals were and the family and friends that came to pay their respects.
Grandmother had the first stall in the front row in a wet-market near Tiong Bahru MRT (it has since been demolished). She sold traditional food - bean curd, bean sprouts and other bean products. Years ago, she makes her own brand of bean curd back at the kampung.
Recently one of my friend made fun of bean curd and sprouts as food that comes 'cheap'. It struck me that grandmother did not have an easy time raising 13 children on her meagre earnings. Every cent was hard earned.
We, the third generation were well brought up and lived a good life, thanks to her example, teaching and upbringing of her children.
I hope the stories about our family will not be lost... they can motivate future generations to do better and move on with heartfelt thanks for the good foundation built into our lineage.
Cheers to each and every one of our ancestors.
Remember, we will be one too.
Let us walk our path with GOD in our sight.
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