99 Years
It's almost unimaginable, 99 years. That's the extent of a leasehold piece of property in Singapore. 1 year less than a Century. 3 times at long as I've been alive.
That's how old my Grandfather is now. This past weekend was his birthday celebration. In traditional Chinese style, it was a 10-course birthday banquet in a restaurant that Grandpa likes. In true Family style, people that haven't been heard from in years come out of the woodwork. In fine Empire style, our immediate family numbered 45 people (with at least half a dozen absentees).
In classic Grandpa style, he braved the walk with his trusty cane to go to every table, carry every great-grandchild, and smile and chat to every single one of his family. Even if the hearing aid is picking up noise that gives him a headache, even if it's way past his bedtime and he's feeling fatigued.
I wonder what goes through his mind on a day like this. Is he gratified to have had so many years? Is he comforted that his whole family is there, including all the black sheeps and self-exiled grandchildren and innocent great-grandchildren? Is this everything he expected he would have when he left China over 70 years to sail for the unknown waters of the South China Sea? Is he bitter that my grandmother is no longer around to see this?
Grandpa is one of the rare few that are alive in Singapore today, who can proudly call themselves pioneers of the country. He's not a world-renowned politician or minister, nor a well-beloved leader of a country, nor a colonial stoolie who was somehow feted as the father of a country instead of the working stiff that he was.
Grandpa is one of the millions that left the old country, in search of a new life, a new opportunity. He left behind a wife and child for this voyage, because to not do so may have meant they wouldn't survive. To arrive in a fledgling country in his 20's rubbing shoulders with the multitudes just like him, scrabbling against them after the few jobs available, finding something that required more than just mere brawn, proving himself to the mentors and teachers, establishing credibility with his neighbors and business dealers and finally hanging out his own shingle despite all advice against it. Maintaining the straight and narrow, keeping integrity and honesty when so much is tempting him to walk to easy path.
I can't talk about Grandpa in just one blogpost. His life is just too full and too long to be done justice with one entry. Stay tuned, more will follow about him.
Happy Birthday, Gonggong.
Grandpa (left) and his brother
Four Generations
A Pandemonium of Great-Grandchildren
See here for pictures from the Birthday Banquet.
That's how old my Grandfather is now. This past weekend was his birthday celebration. In traditional Chinese style, it was a 10-course birthday banquet in a restaurant that Grandpa likes. In true Family style, people that haven't been heard from in years come out of the woodwork. In fine Empire style, our immediate family numbered 45 people (with at least half a dozen absentees).
In classic Grandpa style, he braved the walk with his trusty cane to go to every table, carry every great-grandchild, and smile and chat to every single one of his family. Even if the hearing aid is picking up noise that gives him a headache, even if it's way past his bedtime and he's feeling fatigued.
I wonder what goes through his mind on a day like this. Is he gratified to have had so many years? Is he comforted that his whole family is there, including all the black sheeps and self-exiled grandchildren and innocent great-grandchildren? Is this everything he expected he would have when he left China over 70 years to sail for the unknown waters of the South China Sea? Is he bitter that my grandmother is no longer around to see this?
Grandpa is one of the rare few that are alive in Singapore today, who can proudly call themselves pioneers of the country. He's not a world-renowned politician or minister, nor a well-beloved leader of a country, nor a colonial stoolie who was somehow feted as the father of a country instead of the working stiff that he was.
Grandpa is one of the millions that left the old country, in search of a new life, a new opportunity. He left behind a wife and child for this voyage, because to not do so may have meant they wouldn't survive. To arrive in a fledgling country in his 20's rubbing shoulders with the multitudes just like him, scrabbling against them after the few jobs available, finding something that required more than just mere brawn, proving himself to the mentors and teachers, establishing credibility with his neighbors and business dealers and finally hanging out his own shingle despite all advice against it. Maintaining the straight and narrow, keeping integrity and honesty when so much is tempting him to walk to easy path.
I can't talk about Grandpa in just one blogpost. His life is just too full and too long to be done justice with one entry. Stay tuned, more will follow about him.
Happy Birthday, Gonggong.
Grandpa (left) and his brother
Four Generations
A Pandemonium of Great-Grandchildren
See here for pictures from the Birthday Banquet.
posted by tygertyger at 2:16 AM
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