Travelz And Eatz!: Father - The 100 Days Tribute To A Retired Teacher (Career And Life)

31.3.24 - As you lay on the bed, lost in your own world, I continue my routine to feed you through the tube. With the weekday looming, Monday being the day after, I continue to feel helpless as there's no home that will receive you in this condition. I trained Chloe to feed milk through the tube, as she'll be around when I'm working as she's having a semester break. I feel relieved at this temporary solution. My friends, Derrick and Elaine, dropped by in the evening at about 1800 hrs, to visit father. Later that night, my auntie and uncle from Subang dropped by at about 2000 hrs. Father breathed his last at 2200 hrs, as I was cleaning him up and replacing his diapers. I was with him during his final moment. I'm grateful for this honour, to serve you till your last.

As your body started to lose its warmth, I quickly arranged for a few photographic moments, before I made the call to both hospital and clinic, to perform the final check and confirming the death. It would be my learning, that only a medical assistant from the hospital can declare death. As the private clinic's doctor arrived at the same time, both of them calmly agreed to work together and subsequently decided on the time of death. A visit to the nearby Pondok Polis follows, to obtain a burial permit. This will be my second application for a burial permit, the first being for my late mum on 23.7.21.

As I shared the message of my father's passing through Whatsapp, coincidentally a friend informed that he's also a Nirvana agent and offered to help. It was such a great relief and went a long way towards easing the process of dealing with this grieving period of mine. He arrived an hour after receiving my message, after both medical assistant and doctor had completed their assessment and report. Jack accompanied me to the Pondok Polis to lodge a report on my father's passing. My father, on his final day, had shed tears as he would be leaving soon. Captured the photograph in the afternoon, with my mirrorless Nikon Z30 camera. I'm a recorder of events and I wouldn't miss this opportunity.

A trip to Nirvana Sungai Besi the next day, we chose the funeral package which include the ceremonial suit, coffin and urn. Father looked fresh after the cleaning up and dressed in the ceremonial suit. He looks at peace and happy. The wake was held at Nirvana Shah Alam on 2 - 3.4.24, where friends and family came to pay their last respects. Thanks to all who came and not forgetting those who sent their wishes from afar. The friendly noises and chatter would've kept father happy, if he could hear us. He certainly had plenty of people accompanying him during his journey to the next world. It was full house during the final day of the wake on Wednesday, and 8 wreaths decorated the hall, sent by well wishers. A simple Buddhist ceremony, just like mum, before his ashes was placed beside mum's, and they're now together at Nirvana Shah Alam. The sending off ceremony will be completed on the 100th day, on 8.7.24. I kept myself busy, composing this blog article, in memory of him.

--------THE DAYS DURING THE FINAL 3 WEEKS--------

11.3.24 (Monday) - As I reached home at 2008 hrs after fetching daughter from tuition, straight from work, found him lying down on the floor, on his side, below the electronic keyboard. He replied that he's ok when I asked how he is. Well, I didn't think he's normal and called Metro Klinik if they had a house call doctor service and they replied in the positive. I carried father to the lazy chair where he normally sits, walking together with my hands under both his armpits. Arriving at 2054 hrs and after checking, the doctor recommended a visit to Hospital Shah Alam (HSA) as he's low on blood oxygen level, at 75%. As he was wearing the nasal prong to boost his SPO2 level, he left at 2122 hrs and arrived at HSA by ambulance at 2155 hrs, while I drove my own car. While he was in the Emergency Ward, waiting for his change of hospital gown and health checks, I went to the registration counter at 2206 hrs and completed the registration process after 4 minutes. Fortunately for father, he's a retired civil servant and possessed a pensioner's card. After father had his clothes changed, I left for home at 2302 hrs.

12.3.24 (Tuesday) - Took 2.5 hours time off and went to visit father at HSA. Wife was waiting there and we took turns to check on father as the emergency ward only allowed one visitor per patient. At 1930 hrs, I was back to the hospital to feed him, with porridge that the hospital provided. He has a temporary bed now and wife went in at 2025 hrs. I was surrounded by patients with more serious complications, by the sounds that they made, mostly aged folks. Father was able to respond to our interactions but kept saying he wants to go home. Alas, I could not grant his wish, so he remained in the emergency ward until a bed in the ward is vacated to accommodate him for a longer stay.

13.3.24 (Wednesday) - Visited father during lunch and dinner, feeding him porridge from hospital for lunch and MacD's for dinner. He's still waiting for his ward bed. Father's hands were secured to both sides of the temporary bed, as the nurse informed that he kept wanting to go down the bed to go home. He did make the request when I was with him but I explained that the doctor had to complete the checkup first before he's released. Later at night after I had left, the hospital's Corporate Communications staff (I had the contact as I'm a member of the Board of Hospital Visitors) informed that father had been transferred to the ward bed at 2215 hrs. Good news for him as the bed will be more comfortable, in a quieter environment and not cold like the air-conditioned emergency ward bed.

14.3.24 (Thursday) - During the lunch hour visit, I couldn't feed him porridge as the nurse informed that he can only be fed liquid diet and there's the nasogastric tube through his nose. I was shocked when the doctor requested me to sign the DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) form and informed that he's not a good candidate for resuscitation due to his age (79 years old). I had to sit on the bench outside, to compose myself while writing the daily update to the family Whatsapp group. He's awake and while speaking to him, I recorded our conversation. There would be many short voice recordings, as I'm a keeper of memories, just in case.

15.3.24 (Friday) - Nurse taught me how to feed father by tube. After diluting the high nutrition milk, about 200 ml is poured through the tube slowly and never forget to stop the flow by bending the tube before pouring in plain water to rinse the tube after completing the milk procedure. Not too difficult, I thought. The difficult part is setting the nasogastric tube in place and only a trained person can do it, by listening through the stethoscope as the tube is fed through the intestine into the stomach.

16.3.24 (Saturday) - Visited father with wifey and kids. Granddaughter and grandson got to see their grandfather for the first time in hospital (he has never been warded in hospital all his life). Father had both his hands restrained to the bed railings, to prevent him pulling the nasogastric tube and out again. Brothers (Malacca & Singapore) arrived to visit father in the evening. They took the effort and time to visit their ailing father, that's a good action. After they left, I went up again, to feed father. A routine which I will try to perform, as often as I can. It's my honour and opportunity to care for him, just as he had cared for me when I was born and growing up.

17.3.24 (Sunday) - Relatives from Malacca came to visit during lunch time. It's such a happy event, to know that they too, took their time and effort, to visit father in hospital. As there were about 8 of them, we had to take turns to enter the ward, as only 2 visitors were allowed to a bed, at any one time. Everyone managed to visit him, and he was awake to greet them. I can see that he's happy to see them. Familiar faces who can become a bit unfamiliar, in his condition. The younger ones had a field time walking up and down the stairs to the 10th storey as the 2 lifts had limited capacity during peak hour visiting hours. Visited father with wife again in the evening.

18.3.24 (Monday) - Nurse had informed to purchase additional diapers and adult wet tissues as the initial supply from the hospital is almost depleted. Selected and ordered a wheelchair from Shopee, recommended by a friend. When I visited father during dinner time, he was without his nasogastric tube and I thought he was better already. However, nurse informed that he had pulled it out and they'll need to insert it back again. So, I didn't get to feed him tonight. He must be getting restless, confined to the bed for so many days.

19.3.24 (Tuesday) - Father's sister, son and wife came to visit father during lunch time. They had made a day trip from Malacca. The routine of visiting father during lunch and dinner daily, would continue until 27.3.24, when he's discharged. It's tiring to walk up and down the 10 storeys but I took the challenge to continue serving him in his moment of need. I don't know how long more he'll survive since the day I signed the DNR. Every day is precious to me.

20.3.24 (Wednesday) - During today's lunch visit, managed to speak to the doctor. I was informed that father had suffered lung infection earlier but he's now ok. The sodium drip is no longer attached since yesterday, so I assumed he's on the way to recovery. Went to the Welfare Department to inquire on long term home care centres. I was referred to one lady, who stopped replying after the initial contact. I continue my search, upon obtaining a contact from my doctor friend. I have two centres in my database now. He had been transferred to the air-conditioned recovery room when I visited him during dinner. A more private resting place, with 5 other patients accompanying him. His neighbours said that he had spoken to them and had a good chat.

21.3.24 (Thursday) - There's a visitor in the company, so I didn't visit father during lunch but I did so during dinner. Likewise on the next day, I visited him only during dinner, to manage the visitor. During all visits, I continue to record my conversations with father, and sneaked photographs of him, for my record and also to update relatives on his condition. He does seem pretty awake and my little test of his eyesight, revealed that he could see my hands and count the fingers placed in front of his eyes. Dropped by the wake of my friend's father after that.

23.3.24 (Saturday) - A busy morning for me, having to send son

to school for his Prefects meeting. Dropped by the Karnival Kesihatan at Jln Bukit Rimau. My cousin from Kulai had arrived to visit father during lunch time. Thanks to all, for visiting father. I'm sure he appreciates the visits to give him energy to recover, as they passed on their energy through their hand touches. Brought sister-in-law, together with family, during the dinner visit. Many photographs to record events, accumulates, in what were to be the final few shots of him, where he's able to respond to communication, with eyes open.

24.3.24 (Sunday) - After attending a Buddhist talk at Shah Alam Buddhist Society, to support a friend who's giving a sharing, visited father during lunch time. My late mother's male cousin, had arrived to jointly visit father. It's nice of him to visit. We had coffee and had a good chat in the hospital's cafe. Although in his 70s, he was game to join me to walk up to the 10th storey and he had had previous heart operations. Admirable feat, I told him. We must remain healthy and be grateful for good health.

25.3.24 (Monday) - Bought another pack of adult wet tissues during lunch visit, so that the nurses can assist to clean father as they replace his soiled diapers. The nurses have been very kind and performed their tasks without any complains and I'm grateful for their assistance to make father comfortable during his stay at the hospital. During the dinner visit, bought a new pack of diapers. Father was still able to respond and I told him that the nurse had informed of the discharge on 27.3.24, to set his spirits high. He says that he wants to go home, when I asked him. His hands are still secured to the railings, which I release for a while, during every visit. The new wheelchair ordered through Shopee, had arrived, when I got home. I reminded him that he'll be going home in 2 days' time.

26.3.24 (Tuesday) - Fed father during lunch visit. Late mother's cousin arrived for visit during dinner. It's nice to know that a frail lady, made her way by public transport all the way from Gombak to this hospital, for a visit. I'm grateful to her for providing positive energy to father. He couldn't recognise her at first, although he slowly begun to remember her. He's still able to see and count my fingers. At home, unpacked the new wheelchair and found that it's a good value for RM230.00. Thanks to my friend who made the recommendation.

27.3.24 (Wednesday) - Packed the new wheelchair into the boot before going to work. Visited father during lunch hour. He was awake and I fed him as usual. At 1910 hrs, nurse handed me the documents for discharge, after which I went to the Pharmacy Department at 1928 hrs, to collect his medications. In the meantime, nurses helped to change father's clothes, with the ones I brought. At 1952 hrs, found my way to the Hasil Department, where I went to clear any payments but as he was a pensioner, he had a free stay at the hospital for 15 days. It was a struggle to lift him into the front passenger seat as I was alone at the carpark. Placing my foot accurately, found the leverage to carry him and gently placed him on the seat. It's 2110 hrs now. With the seat belt secured, the journey home was quite uneventful, except that he kept moving his hands and tried to grab things. Reached home at 2148 hrs and again, with proper leverage with my footing, extracted him from the car and baby carried him to be placed on the new queen sized inflatable bed in the living room. Checked his pupils for reaction to light but there was no activity. I understand that this is a sign that the end is near. He managed to reach home and I'm grateful for that. It was his wish and I've managed to fulfill it. Took my dinner at 2320 hrs.

28.3.24 (Thursday) - It was a public holiday. Went to buy father's supply of milk powder, insulin needles. The Medical Assistant from the clinic arrived and showed me how to administer the insulin jabs and medication through the nasogastric diet. This was the arrangement while sourcing for a home who will take father in. There were a few homes that I called to check on bed availability. Went to attend a friend's wake after lunch. Replaced father's diapers after dinner at home.

29.3.24 (Friday) - I had taken the day off, to take advantage

of the long weekend as yesterday was a public holiday. Bought more milk powder, adult wet wipes, disposable bed layer in expectation of father's long stay in bed, at home. After dinner, measured father's oxygen level - 60%. Contacted the local clinic for support. The ambulance arrived at 2200 hrs. Went to fetch brother who had arrived from Singapore, from the bus terminal and we visited father at the clinic at 0136 hrs, after dropping wife at home. Had an early breakfast or late supper after that.

30.3.24 (Saturday) - Went to buy fatt kou, in preparation for mum's Ching Ming prayers ceremony. After my youngest brother arrived from Malacca, we proceeded to Nirvana Shah Alam. During the prayers at 1400 hrs, I had informed mum that father would be joining her soon. Dropped by at the clinic to visit father together. After making payment to the clinic, father was sent home by ambulance (1658 hrs) and I carried him into the house and placed him on the bed. Doctor friend informed that no home care will take father in, with his current condition. So, continue staying at my house, he did. I'm sure he won't enjoy leaving this house to go to a home. He had been staying in my house for 16 years. Took group photos with father lying there. Wife went to fetch an auntie, who came to our house to visit father, at 2010 hrs. Thanks for dropping by.

31.3.24 (Sunday) - Fed father at 1130 hrs. Then cleaned him up

and changed the soiled diapers. Did my weekly book reading on FB Live at 1550 hrs. Trained daughter how to feed father, at 1800 hrs. Friends dropped by to visit father at 1820 hrs. Mother's sister and husband from Subang Jaya came to visit father at 1950 hrs. Went to buy more paper towels. As I was cleaning him up for a change of diapers, father breathed his last at 2216 hrs. It was that easy. Just a final sigh. Goodbye, dad. Both the HTAR ambulance and clinic's ambulance arrived at 2255 hrs. After a check, the doctor confirmed father's passing. My friend who's a Nirvana representative, arrived at 2305 hrs. A visit to the nearby Pondok Polis and the Burial Permit was obtained. Nirvana's vehicle came to take father's body away, to Nirvana Sg. Besi.

1.4.24 (Monday) - Father starts his journey to the netherworld. Prepared 6 sets of clothes for father, as advised by Nirvana. Reached Nirvana Sg. Besi at 1212 hrs. After the documents were signed, we proceeded to choose the urn, coffin and father's clothes. At 1300 hrs, we were brought to see father, who's freshly cleaned and in a nice set of traditional Chinese clothes. Reaching home at 1600 hrs, slept for 2 hours. Take a rest after making the funeral arrangements. Brothers arrived for dinner. Looked through collection of father's photos, to create a montage to be played at the funeral hall.

2.4.24 (Tuesday) - After brunch, we reached Nirvana Shah Alam at 1418 hrs. Father's cousin had dropped by and I sat for a chat with him. Friends from Kota Kemuning also came to pay their respects to father. More relatives and friends came in succession and we were kept busy, to lead them through the process of offering their prayers to father. Klang MP YB Ganabatirau and his friend Lim, arrived at 1915 hrs. There were 8 sets of wreaths from well wishers. Father really had a grand send-off. He would've enjoyed the cheerful atmosphere instead of a sombre one. I'm sure he's smiling while lying there in the coffin. Don't worry, father. Everything is being taken care of. You just focus on your journey and finding your way.

3.4.24 (Wednesday) - After a good breakfast of chee cheong fun, we arrived at Nirvana at 1008 hrs. Friends and maternal relatives reached, at times convenient to them, as it's a working day. Paternal relatives arrived at 1410 hrs. Visitors occupied the hall, in batches, all the way till closing time where we left at 2235 hrs. This is the final night, before the cremation tomorrow. ADUN Preakas and Justin came at 1950 hrs and we sat to have a chat. I appreciate all who dropped by, to keep us company during my father's final journey and also to those who had sent wreaths of wishes. Tonight, the atmosphere was more boisterous than yesterday and I enjoyed it, as much as I hoped father would appreciate the same. He had always insisted on entertaining people.

4.4.24 (Thursday) - Today will be an early day, where father will make his journey to the crematorium, after the final prayers and respects ceremony. The coffin was sealed and we made our way to the building, escorting father's hearse by foot. It was 150 metres walk. We watched at the coffin was lowered onto the conveyor, which led to the burner. The sliding door came down and the last we'd see father. We then proceeded for the cleaning up and refreshment ceremony, signifying an end to the process of send-off.

It's a very rare occasion that this large family came for a visit. Therefore, we took the opportunity to show them late mum's resting place and offered prayers since it's still Ching Ming. Father had planned his departure so well, just like mum had hers planned her departure on a Friday and we had the next few days during the weekend to send her off. Group photographs if not captured often, will be a waste of chance of a lifetime, to freeze the moment in time, to be remembered for generations after us. It was a good family gathering.

--------MEMORIES AND THOUGHTS OF YOU--------

Father was my personal barber for 48 years of my life. He was the one who cut my hair from the time I was born, until 3 years ago, when he couldn't hold the scissors steady anymore. 4 months after mum passed away on 23.7.21, he stopped being my personal barber. The barber sessions would last about 15 minutes, as he went round to trim my hair neatly, after applying talcum powder on my hair. Standing all the time, he patiently completed his task. He would sometimes trim late mum's hair also, every once a while, when she made a request.

We would travel in the car together and go wandering around the country, enjoying the sights and food, during the weekends. You adored your grandchildren and in return, they love your company. During their younger days, when they're not so heavy, you like to take turns to carry them around. Occasionally, you'd explain some stuff to them, just as you had imparted your DIY knowledge to me. Always encouraging us to find out how things work. The former teacher you are, you had influenced me to do my readings aloud, as I now read books on Facebook Live. It's your way of telling me to practise speaking. You had read aloud, in the living room, in our house in Malacca and I had listened but didn't take after you, until almost 5 decades later.

Being an avid traveller, even when we were young, late mum would share with us stories of how the both of you took the bus to Penang from Malacca, as mum went to visit her parents. In the photo, that's me and my brother at grandparents' house in Lembah Permai, Tanjung Bungah. Young parents you were at the time, you paid close attention to us and with mum being a memory-creator, had taken plenty of photographs of us growing up. Photos taken with the Kodak cartridge film which had 12 exposures each. The albums, I've taken out the photographs and scanned each one of them, and we'd spent time watching the photos on the big screen LCD TV. I wish I could still go through the photos again, with you and mum, and recall the sweet memories of the past.

Celebrated your 79th birthday this year, which was to be your last. We will never know when we'd be leaving this world, so every occasion is important to me and I'd take the time and effort to record images. It costs nothing these days, as there's no printing to be done. I'm glad and proud of the collection of memories, that I can go through every once and while, in my moments of melancholy. Physical memories are permanent while mental images are prone to changes according to the mood.

After mum's passing and as your mental capability was reduced and you became forgetful at times, you were once brought to the Pondok Polis by a kind soul. From that day onwards, we only allowed you access to the garden and not beyond the fence. As you were confined to the house, you didn't get to cut your hair at the barber. It took 2 years of persuasion for you to allow me to cut your hair and late mum would grumble when you kept your hair, moustache and beard long, looking like A Samad Said. Yes, you really looked like him.

After mum's passing, I would drive you to the Kota Kemuning Lakeside, for our 2 km walks, to keep you healthy and active. To add variety to the scenery, I would also bring you to the lake at Tropicana Aman, which is about 15 minutes' drive from our house. This, I would do on weekends. As the years passed, the distance you could around the housing estate, reduced from 2 km to 800 metres to 300 metres and in 2024, you decided not to walk outside the house anymore. You nearly fainted after trying out the new RM300 walking stick.

We didn't cook, so we arranged the catering service to provide lunch and dinner for you. You were able to unlock the gate to collect the tiffin carrier, until close to the end of 2023, when you could no longer open your gate as you had forgotten how to. So, you had to wait for the grandson to return from school at about 1330 hrs, to get your lunch. Thanks to the responsible grandson who prepared lunch for his grandfather. You would sometimes mess up the table with your food, pull the table cloth, etc. I would feel frustrated at having to clean up after I return from work. It was also at the same period of time, when you were not able to remove your clothes to bathe and wear fresh clothes. I assisted you to bathe and also wear your clothes and you would say 'Thank You' every time.

Even when mum was still around, I had always taken plenty of photographs of the family. To wait for the following year to capture the CNY and birthday photographs, is a big risk as we're not able to tell the future. This was the final CNY photo shot in 2024 before your eventual passing on 31.3.24. Memories are eternal and physically recorded images keeps us focused on the past, which may be distorted if we had relied on the brain's memory, subjected to the emotions of the moment.

Our kampung house or headquarters as I would call it, is too big for you to manage by yourself. Stubborn you were, you thought that you could manage the jungle of trees and plants around the bungalow house alone. Even late mum was frustrated, as you refused outside help. I tried to do it myself, when I'm back in hometown once a month but I realised, after 6 months, the scope of job is beyond my ability. I'm lucky to have found Mr. Zulkifli, who had been helping us to manage the garden on a monthly basis, since last July. You don't have to worry about it from the other side of the world.

Frail as you were, we're glad you made it to late mum's sister's big birthday gathering at Kuala Kurau, Perak last year. However, as the temporary abode of the night was unfamiliar to you, you behaved a bit weird but we managed to work it out, accomodating to your needs. A family sticks together and we took turns to always keep an eye on you, as were were staying at a fishing village, which is just next to the river. The group photos with the maternal side of the family, turned out to be the final with you around. We can still refer to these photos, to jog our memory of you and the enjoyable weekend family gathering that we had in October, 2023. You were still able to recall vaguely, who the family members were and these occasions are precious.

Me being me, I've always made it a point to meet relatives as often as I can, when people are still alive. During the visit to Malacca in September 2023, he had almost forgotten about his sister who runs the Capitol Longkang Siham stall at Jalan Bunga Raya. He managed to recall his memory, after a while. Talking about the past is a good way to activate the brain cells. I've asked him to write a book about his life but he declined. Late mum did write a book on my request and I'm thankful that I can still read her past and thoughts, every once a while. Physical memories are an important part of one's legacy.

Walk while you still can walk, I would always say to everyone. Once you're not able to but only decided upon that time to walk, it's too late. Brought father to walk at the Stadhuys, Malacca just as we had walked this route when we were kids, during weekends or school holidays. It's a remnant of the Dutch rule and an important part of Malacca's history. Our roles will be exchanged as we grow older but that's Life, a normal path that everyone has to go through. I'm glad I was given the honour to serve and return the favour.

Parents liked to keep plants and with this in mind, regularly made it a point to show the flower of the dragon fruit when it blooms at night (it will wilt by morning). Let him continue to appreciate the beauty and wonders of nature. When I was showing this flower to him, he warned me not to pull the flower and smack his face with it. It's rather funny when he said that. It could've been a memory of his younger days, when his friends or classmates did that to him. I assured him, that I would not smack the flower in his face. So, his memory works in certain periods of time, when sometimes or most of the time, he can be forgetful. Leaving the tap open is one of it and forgetting day or night is another (I explained that it's as easy as observing the light of day or darkness of the night, outside the house).

Being Hainanese, we have this innate affinity for chicken rice. The location in this photo is Choon Guan Hainan Coffee 1956 Restaurant in Pandamaran, Klang. As usual, this is one of the weekend activities that I enjoy with father. Do things when people are still alive, I would tell people. After Death, everything that you do is just an imaginary action that is carried out to pacify the emotional part of us. And father enjoyed this chicken rice lunch, indicated by his thumbs up. The other Hainanese thing, is having a cup of kopi-o.

Taking care of aged folks is learning for me, just like others. We were never trained to do it nor did we learn it in school. It's not as easy as it sounds but it's a reversal of roles, when my parents were my doctor, teacher and counsellor. I regularly get father to complete tasks, to test his mental and physical abilities, so that I can be sure that he can take care of himself when I'm working. Installed CCTVs in the house, to help me monitor him at home. It's a good investment, not expensive and can be easily installed by connecting them to the wifi network.

What does the future hold for us? We can't foresee but we can work towards making dreams and wishes come true. Father didn't had the chance to learn music when he was young. So, he picked up music by playing the electronic keyboard or organ, when he was working. He also made us pick up violin and I obtained Grade 5 for both theory and practical, under the ABRSM syllabus. I'm grateful to him, for giving me this knowledge on music, aside from other practical aspects of life such as replacing the car's spark plugs, fixing the lights at home, catching prawn with the net at sea and many other things. He was a self-made craftsman and built a big crib (bigger than the dining table) for us to play in, when were babies. He had shown what one can do, when one puts one's mind to it.

That's me testing his capability to wear his own slippers. He will fumble and pull out the wrong straps occasionally but I feel happy when he's able to attach the straps by velcro. It's these little things that the aged goes through, that I tell people to do things while they're still able to. Once you have all the time in the world but no capability to carry out the activities, it's too late. So, carpe diem and may you live a life without regrets. I'm doing all I can, to ensure father lives a comfortable life at old age, although he may not seem to know what I'm trying to do.

It's the year 2022 and I saw that he doesn't have a complete set of teeth. It'll be difficult for him to chew his food. So, a visit to the dentist we went and here he is, showing off his new set of dentures. However, he procastinated on using it and after a year, he's not comfortable wearing it as he has to open his jaws wide, to wear the set of false teeth. He overcame this by using scissors to cut the meat and vegetables, before putting them in his mouth to swallow. Well, if he's comfortable eating this way, I let him choose his method.

If he was one strong and able, father required assistance to walk up the hill to perform Ching Ming prayers for his late father and mother, our grandparents, when age caught up with him. Fortunately, he had shown great filial piety when he took care of his aged father after he was bedridden. Seeing that example, we replicated that action and assisted him during his moments of need. It's the least we could do for him, to repay him for the time and energy to bring us bunch of active, naughty and rebellious kids during our growing up years.

I will no longer be bringing you for your walks. You're on your own now. I don't know where you are but as I told late mum, visit us when you're able to. Over at the other side, it is believed that you're a complete healthy person now and hopefully, you'll still continue to walk and discover the world at the other side. You will continue your adventure and along the way, make new friends, who will accompany you for chats and walks. Activities that you liked to partake when you're on Earth. Take Care and Be Happy.