My Ah Ma is one of the most amazing people i have ever known. At 97, she's the epitome of determination, of zeal and vigour. As i sat with her just over the recent Merdeka weekend, i learnt so many precious lessons that i pray i may remember for always.
Lesson 1. NEVER GIVE UP
Ah Ma was just recalling that Grampa passed away for more than 40 years already. Twisting her jade ring, she said, "i gave my whole packet of gold jewellery to your grandfather, but he accidentally misplaced it. He felt bad, so he bought me this ring. It's been so many years.. "As she said that, i realised that for the past 40 years, she has single-handedly brought up her 8 children. A housewife, it must have been so tough to feed the many mouths. It is by sheer determination and hard work that she raised her children well and today, i would say her children are all healthy and successful.
A couple of years back, Ah Ma fell down. While most people would just resolve to sit in a wheelchair, but not my Ah Ma. She was determined to walk on her own with her walker. Step by step, she learnt to walk. At 95! Not wanting to be a burden to others, Ah Ma refuses to let her circumstances keep her from being independent. She was telling me that every night she would clap her hands softly over her head 300+100 times. She would stretch her legs 150 times each. 300 times! It is to keep her limbs active and her mind strong, she says.
Lesson 2. DON'T BE GREEDY.. =p
haha.. I recently asked Ah Ma her secret to longevity and good health. She replied in hokkien "When eating your food, stop when you feel just right. Don't stop only when you feel full. By then, you would have overeaten. Take plenty of veges. Meat is a luxury. You know, when ur mum was younger, we only ate chicken and pork on special occasions."
Lesson 3. KEEP LEARNING!
At 97, Ah Ma still reads the newspapers everyday and occupies her time reading books. It keeps her mind alert and active. Though she's a bit more forgetful nowadays and tends to repeat herself, it is forgiveable - afterall, she's 97! I pray that if God allows me to live that long, that i would be as alert, as full of life as Ah Ma.
It also made me think that at her age, everything Ah Ma says is like pure gold. While i do not always agree with all that she says, but for most of it, i listen, ponder and reflect out of respect and admiration for Ah Ma. It comes from her wealth of experiences in her journey of life. Like the chinese saying, she has eaten more salt than i have eaten rice.
With that, I realised that if i should be given such a long life, alertness and zeal, i could impact and inspire my future generation-- to share God's goodness, to recall His faithfulness, to remember His providence and guidance all through my life. Deuteronomy 4:9 says, "Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them."
May this life of mine leave a legacy of faith to my children and my children's children.
**Thank you, Ah Ma. I will save this post and show it to you the next time i go back to BP, k? =)
