Osteoporosis

So.. wat's the treatment for Mom? Everyone seem to be asking .... even Mom asked .. well, we do know that there is nothing we can do when one gets osteoporosis except to increase the intake of calcium .. and drink lots of milk ... we have been giving Mom Fosamax for 2-3 years but was afraid of its sides effects, we stop giving her.

But I do believe that it is grace and lots of God's grace and mercy on her for her to be strong and well again. Mom wishes that she is able to walk again and the nurse said that this is a very good sign because it gives her the determination to be heal and reason to look forward to live. I really thank God that He has given Mom joy even in her situation, she is generally quite cheerful and smiles a lot.

I remember one day, after a tough time taking care of her .... I gave her glucose to drink because she complained that she was very hot. That set her on a hyper active mode and suddenly energized. But I was weary. So, I told her to sing to me to entertain me since I am still tired. So, she really sang songs to me ... in Foochow and Mandarin .. she sang "I've got joy joy, joy deep down in my heart" (and she say that the Sunday School teacher sings and does the actions very well). She also sang a Mandarin song that has the chorus that goes something like : "where is your brother [ the word in Mandarin is younger brother ] ..." when she comes to this sentence, she skips it cos she says she cannot sing it ... sekali her late brother "come looking for her" .... betul2 pengsan!! :) .. so, she will sing the entire song and skip this sentence ... we ended up laughing. After singing for a while ... she said ... "ooo my voice is dry ... is all cos u ask me to sing ... now u have to go get a drink for me ..." .... faint! Macam2 pattern my Mom ...

Now, with her condition, the doctor recommended a new drug to "combat" (the word he use) osteoporosis ....

Aclasta .... which is given by infusion. Mom took that yesterday ... and the doctor said, every drop is money ... hahha ... off cos when 5mg is RM1800. Its suppose to last up to one year and within the one year, if anything happens to the bone, eg .... a fracture, the drug company will reimburse us back RM3000. Not that we want the RM3000 but its interesting how confident the company is of their product to offer this. For further info, you can read : http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/22699.php

So, by God's grace and mercy Mom's bones will be strengthen and pray that God will grace her with few more years for us to enjoy her and for her to enjoy the sunset of her journey.

The Fading Of One Generation

Last Sun, 6 June 2010, Aunty went home to be with the Lord peacefully at 10:27pm. She was 67years old. Aunty is the youngest from Mom's side and was born during World War 2 .... everyone in the family babied her since she was the youngest. She was showered with lots of love .... the brothers who went to the fields to work will race each other home after a hard day's work ... the winner will get to carry the fat cute baby!!! Such simple life ...

Mom come from a huge poor family of 11 siblings .... 7 boys, 4 girls but it is officially known that they only have 10 sibling because one of the girl was given away as a child bride when she was a little girl. She was either the eldest or second daughter. However, the family who took her in abused her and caused her death. The family came and informed Grandma that her daughter died from falling from the stairs. The real cause of her death is unknown. Since she was given away as a child bride, she no longer belong to the family, hence, she is not counted as a child in the family. In olden days, it is cheaper to give away their daughters as child bride as the dowry is much cheaper and many families cannot afford the dowry. The child will stay with the family as a maid and when the right time comes, she will then be officially given as a wife to the son of the family.

The eldest daughter was given away to my Great Grandma (maternal) to take care because their family was too poor to bring up girls. They keep all their sons but give away their daughters. Hence, when Mom was born, she was much loved by her Mom maybe because of guilt feeling of unable to love and care for the older two daughters. Mom is officially the second daughter. She is known as Nee-Ku to all her nieces and nephews.

My eldest Aunty was brought back into the family in her early teens but she was a rebel. Off course. She has never lived with her family and the feelings of rejection was strong within her. She was later married to a rich man in Nam Pong at the age of 14, Southern of Thailand by my GrandPa. Till the day of her death, she found it hard to forgive her Dad for "selling" her off at such a young age.

Mom has 7 brothers. The eldest was the smartest. He was a teacher and for someone to be a teacher in those days was big deal. But he ran away from home to Singapore because he does not want to marry the child bride that Grand Ma arrange for him. He died during WW2, from the tortures of the Japanese army. The family just got news that he died. There was no body or funeral conducted.

Mom's second brother also ran away from home because he does not want to be associated with the child bride that was given to him. He went off to China and joined the armies there. However, he later returned to Malaysia (Malaya) and set up his own family upon Mom's appeal to him because Grandma was stricken by grief. Mom went to someone in Simpang Ampat to help her write and mail the letter to her second brother.

Mom's third brother died under the hands of the Japanese as well. It seems that he stayed behind though the villagers asked him to run away ..... his reason was -- he could speak to the Japanese. If I am not mistaken, he was accused of secretly giving medical help to the Communist or something like that. He was literally shot to death. His grave is in Simpang Dua but the family was too poor to build him a proper tomb, hence, his grave is unknown to us now.

The 4th brother also went off to China. He was the playful one, or shall I say street smart just after Mom. Mom told us of an incident whereby he told Mom that he would take her for movies (she really wanted to watch movie but was scared to pass by the graveyard in Simpang Dua) but the catch was, Mom was to pay for the tickets as well as a bowl of noodles for him as payment. In those days, Mom held the family's accounts as all the bigger brothers were not around to help manage the family business. Mom and the 4th brother walked to Cathay Cinema from Spg Dua to catch the movie. However, when 4th Uncle wanted to come back to Malaya (the same time as 2nd uncle), he lost his birth cert and could not proof that he was born in Malaya, hence, he never saw parents alive the day he left for China nor did her return for their funeral. He married a beautiful wife in China and had 2 kids but died when he was 49years old from cancer.

Mom's 5th brother lived a flamboyant lifestyle. He died about 5 years ago from colon cancer at the age of early 70s.

Mom's 6th brother inherited the family business and home. He was the most responsible son who loved Grandma a lot. Since he inherited the family home and business, he continued to open his home and showed hospitality and generosity to the rest of his siblings and their children.

Sadly, Mom's youngest brother immediately died in a freak motorbike accident in front of Shell, Kpg Koh shortly after his 1st and 3rd brother died. He was single and young -- perhaps early or mid 20s. After he died, Grandma was bedridden for 1 month because of grief. It was Moses Tay's mom who came and combed her long hair daily and ministered to her.

As you can see, Grandma had a very challenging and difficult life. There is much more story ... perhaps I'll write them and publish it someday. But the life and family dynamics drew her close to God, drove her to her knees to pray for God's mercy for her family. She was an intercessor for her family and society. She was one of John Sung's preaching band and it seems when she prayed for the sick, they are healed.

By mid 1970s, there was only 5 living siblings left from the family of 10. 2nd (at ripe age of 86) and 6th uncle pass away (of heart failure) two years ago in the span of 3 months and now, with Aunty gone (pancreas cancer), Mom is the only sibling left. We literally see one generation fading away before our very eyes ... and it is sad.

Aunty was also an intercessor ..... she goes round praying for all of us ... her family. CK asked, with her gone, who is going to replace her .. who is going to stand in the gap for our family and intercede .... there is many more yet to come to the Throne Room of Grace ... Yes, the Yu family must arise to receive the baton and carry of the spiritual assignment as intercessors .... so far, there is only two from the Yu family who are serving God - one full time, one part time. Yes, I am serving the Lord full time and my calling is tied to my spiritual heritage from Yu family as well as Ting family and I carry the surname Ting. For this reason, I still believe that my generation of Yu family has to arise to take over .... and to prepare the next Yu family generation to continue to carry the baton before it completely fade away....
We really thank God for preserving Mom and keeping her strong. Yes, her work is not done yet ... and I pray that God will continue to keep her strong until His work for her is done!

Mom's Sleep Over in A Resort

SM gave me one night stay in Corus Paradise Resort PD as one of my birthday gifts and I decided to share this gift with Mom.

So, yesterday, off we set to PD. Thank you SM & KC for making your car available for me to use.. :0...

Mom was excited cos it has been some time since she last stayed in the hotel. The last time was perhaps in 2001 when I moved down to JB. I was working then. The company gave me 2 weeks off as relocation leave ... to look for a house and to relocate. Meanwhile, I was able to stay in the hotel during this time. I remember bringing Mom and SM's maid with me .. the maid to clean and wash my house ... we stayed in Blue Wave.

The resort was quite impressive from the outside (as usual). I love the in build "waterfall" .... have always love the sound of water .. it makes the whole place cooling .... I did not know that there was lift available .. so I made Mom climb down 3 flight of stairway ... it was a challenge for her. But she said ... just consider it like an exercise ...

The room was a little small for me but the view that we get is pretty good - pretty scenic. As usual, the maintenance and service of this place is lousy. The front office gals are not well trained. The floor of the room was dirty .... my feet was black! Wondered when was the last time they mopped the floor.

I ordered for twin sharing and Mom suggested that we should phone CK to join us ... since there is enough beds to sleep on - 2 queen size beds. Faint! As if CK does not need to work and KL is just 30mins away!!! and I certainly do not want to share my bed !! :0 ...

We rested in the afternoon in the room - it was too hot too go out ... in the evening, we explored PD town .... its almost like Sitiawan .. small ... with The Store and Billion .... perhaps Sitiawan may be bigger .... we had dinner in Station Kopitiam ... Mom loves teh tarik and ordered her favorite beef rice. She finished the whole plate!

We were back in the hotel just in time for me to catch the sunset ... and I quickly clicked away ....

The aircon was turned to 27 since Mom is afraid of cold ... I slept like a dead log but Mom did not sleep well .... hahaha ... so much for sleeping in the hotel. She blame the beef rice -- too heaty ... but I would say that she miss her bed .... :0

In the morning, Mom was all set to go back. She showered at 6am, packed and all ready by 830am and woke me up. She loved the buffet breakfast and insisted that I should take photo of her standing next to the swimming pool! Ai ya ... wat else .. to show off la... but I have to say that Mom loves the camera! Hahhaha .... anyway ... we took quite a lot of shots ....

When we came home, Mom was so tired cos did not sleep well the night before ... she actually slept from 2-630pm!!!

Net2 .... it was quite an OK trip.... the only thing that I wish I could do was to walk along the beach ... and enjoy the breeze and sound of the waves ... didn't manage to do that as Mom cant walk too much. But the view from the room was good enough .... :0 ...

Mom's 83 2day

Today is Mom's 83th birthday ... and I thank God for every single day that He has given to us to have Mom with us ... for keeping Mom strong ... for giving Mom a cheerful spirit and a prayerful heart. She prays for all of us everyday ... that's what we "assign" for her to do since she is retired now.

I wish that I can be with her on this special day and celebrate her birthday with her ... together with SM as a family .... maybe I should take extra afford to do so next year ... after all, its really God's grace for giving Mom to us even till now ....

Mom is still as vain ... she does not like to wear dull, dark, grey and brown tone clothes .... instead she still loves bold colors especially red .... and she is very particular about dressing up and presenting herself neat and lovely when she does out.

Till today, she still carries a comb/brush with her to church or when she goes for shopping (if she brings a bag along) a total contrast with me ... I dont even comb my hair!


I pray that God will continue to bless Mom with good health, joy and peace .... and immense joy as she enjoys her sunset years with us.

Some Things I Enjoy in Sban ....

Every time I go back to Seremban, I enjoy my time there ... just throwing my cute body on the sofa .... relaxing .... no need so homework .... going for movies or trying to chop the TV channel that I want to watch ... cooking .... hanging out in Jusco with Mom ... and some times driving to KL for a shopping trip .....

Off course the more the merrier in the family ... hehehhe ... so, every time I come down, I betul2 kecoh-kan the whole family there ... cos sometimes my kuncu2 of cucu will follow behind .... :0

So, this trip, I manage to take some shots of family in "action" ....

This is Dan at the age of 10 .... imaginative in his creation of toys ....

This is Lyn helping Mom with her eye drops .....

CNY 2010 Family Thanksgiving

This has been a low profile CNY for me ... I have scaled down all the normal activities, cooking and visitations that I do this year. Instead, spent quite a bit of time resting since its far tooooo toooo HOT to step outside of the house. Sitiawan was far tooooo HOT ... but if I were to step out of the house and my fats melt .. I don't mind ... hehehe....

Though I was on a much lower scale of activities, my brains have been busy .. I have spent much time reflecting and appreciating what I have now .. for one, Mom and Dad ... I really thank God for Mom and Dad ... and preserving their health. Mom is 83 and Dad is 84 this year and both of them are still mobile and active. Dad still cycles around and many times still shirtless cos its too hot and in his shorts (but his boxers are longer than his shorts ... hehehhe ... ). We have been asking him to cut down in distance and trips. He still goes to work in the plantation few times a week but we discourage him because he needs to cycle all the way to Kampong Cina and cross the main road. Mom -- she misses her care free days riding her motorbike. She was "forced' to stop at 77years old. She "surrendered" her motorbike keys to us but .... quietly curi2 ride the bike sometimes with the spare key ... hehehhe .... But her mind is still very much on business .. wanting to close deals. She may forget things and seems to be sleepy, inactive but once her handphone rings, she's all energized and suddenly becomes very active again ... off course, Mom is still very busy in the phone, calling whole Malaysia.... and sometimes to Singapore .... :0

Looking at our parents, I think that it is not easy for them as they go through this reverse process where instead of providing, caring, running, managing and making decisions for the family, and their own lives. Now, they have to depend on people, their children to provide for them (but I have say that I am also thankful for our parents financial situation).

I have also spent some time observing people --- so many people to observe .. look like this is becoming my hobby now.... interesting ... interesting ... unveil my observation some other time ...

Lastly, I have also take a good look at our family dynamics and pondered on what is family .. what makes a family besides individuals placed together by birth and marriage?

Besides people placed together under one unit of family and living together, I think that family is about loving, caring, forgiving, forbearing, patience, understanding, respecting, not letting go and giving up of one another. It is also about making time to spend with one another -- sharing and carrying with one another the joys and burdens in life .... the tears and pains of life .... It is just not taking or receiving but lots and lots of giving ....

Blessed and healthy family is when each of us plays an active part in giving and receiving .. contributing to the dynamics of the family .... It is also giving space to one another as individuals. To make a family blessed and healthy ... it takes lots of sacrifice, lots of hard work and only by God's love and grace that families stay together -- especially in this broken and dysfunctional world. Lord, have mercy on all of us ....

I thank God for my family ... I have been blessed with very wonderful understanding and sacrificial siblings who had stood by me through thick and thin, ups and downs of my life, and given me their support - emotionally and physically .... more importantly, their prayer support .... and I know of one .. who even fast for me .... hehehe .... to all of you ... I thank God for you ....

What is family to you? Have you played the role of being a family member? If you have not, start now ... its never too late. Blessed happy starts with you yourself -- how are you contributing to the family? What is your attitude towards your family? Remember to appreciate your family .... each of us have our roles and part to play .... it takes two willing parties on the same page to make a relationship work .... mixed with God's love, mercy and grace.

Man cannot live alone or in isolation from family and community .... we are created to live with one another and to need one another ... not just one person but a family and community .... this is why the old saying comes : it takes a village to raise a child.


Many times, our pets is also very much part of the family .... look at this one ... tengah bermalas

In Memory of Fifth Grand Aunt

Dad came home on 3rd day of CNY almost lunch time and he looked real sad. He said that 5th Grand Aunt had just passed away the night before. Tears covered his eyes as he spoke. He just came from visiting their home. Dad said that she is very "hor mia" cos she choose to go Home after the CNY celebrations ... and when all the children get to come home to send her off. The next day, I send Dad for the funeral and brother-in-law send him home. He came home teary and sad.

Mom also spoke highly on Grand Aunt ... said .. she is really respectable for not remarrying after her husband passed away but concentrated in bringing up her kids well. According to Mom, her husband was killed by the Japanese during the Japanese occupation in Padang Astaka and was simply buried there. It seems many were killed and buried in this place during Japanese Occupation. If Mom's story is true, then, the grave may be located there now though Padang Astaka is now a field where people jogs. There is NOT a single sight of grave but who knows, there might be mass grave or graves hidden somewhere underneath .....

Dad had really gone thru quiet a bit past few years as he sees one by one of his friends and people his generation slowly fade away. In fact, he went into depression after Uncle Yong Ching passed away. But thank God he came out of it ... but now ... with 5th Grand Aunt's passing ... its a mix feelings for Dad again. Its always hard to say goodbye to our love ones .... especially with someone as godly and loving like 5th Grand Aunt.

5th Grand Aunt is my Dad's fifth uncle's wife. Great Grand Dad had 8 sons and all of them followed him to Malaya way back in perhaps the 1930s. My own Grand Dad is the 3rd son. It seems the 4th son decided to settle down in Sibu instead of Sitiawan. So, I have unknown relatives in Sibu ...:)

I actually don't remember any of Dad's uncles except for 8th uncle .... cos his name was mentioned quite a bit in the family and I know he lives in Simpang Tiga, just some where behind Grand Ma's house.

But I remember 5th Grand Ma very well -- though I never know how she is related to me till when I was much much older. I remember Dad fetching me on his old bicycle to 5th Grand Aunt's house when I was very young - opposite of Nan Hwa. I can recall that Grand Aunt will serve us drinks and sometimes a box of pickled lime to eat. Off course, its also the place where I met Grand Aunt's grandchildren who later became my MIF/MYF buddies.

Dad will go see Grand Aunt to share his problems, struggles and challenges. Grand Aunt always speak words of encouragement and even prayed for Dad. She is a petite little lady and slim, wears cheong sum and has long straight white hair which she neatly buns it up .... I suspect her feet were bounded, soft spoken and gentle .... full of love and compassion ... and a good, patient listener. One does have to be a good listener to hear out Dad's struggles especially when he has a tendency of repeating the same thing.

Then, in my teens, I remember Grand Aunt as someone who is not only active in church but also actively reaching out to the needy around her. I was living in Taman Maju and Taman Hijau that time (at the back of her housing estate) and I recall seeing her waiting for the local green bus to take her to Simpang Tiga where her church is ... and she was able to chase after the bus in cheong sum!!! Amazing!! She was easy 60-70 years old then ... During that time, I befriend a single Mom (Bebe) who lives around our housing estate as well. This single mom has a lot of problems and Grand Aunt also extended her ministry of love and compassion to her as well ... including giving her money.

Few years ago, I asked Dad about Grand Aunt. He told me that they are celebrating her 100th birthday!! WOW!! She lived 30 years in the grace of God. Dad said she is much weaker now ... memory was failing but she still gets on the piano to play simple songs daily .. wow... amazing!

Grand Aunt went Home at the age of 104 - she must have gone through a lot in her life ... having survived both wars, widowhood at a young age, single Mom to 4 children ..... but I have say that she indeed is filled with love and compassion of God - a godly and god fearing lady ... she must have also been the generation who had seen and experienced the revival and fire of God in Sitiawan under the ministry of John Sung, just like my maternal grand ma. O yea ... it was on her funeral bulletin that I found out she has the same surname as Mom ... wonder if they could be related too ....

The words that came to me when I heard of Grand Aunt's passing .... and these words I dedicate it to her in remembrance of her life and touch in my family ..... I am glad and am honored that God made my path cross with hers in this lifetime ... I pray and hope that my life will also be lived to the fullest and I can also echo the same words that I dedicate to her in my own departure ....

We will miss you Great Grand Aunt!!! Till we meet again ..... to God be the glory!!!

"For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing." ( 2Tim 4:6-8)

The Great Annual Journey ...........

Yup ... every year I have to make this 10hr drive back to Sitiawan for CNY .. the tot of the journey and drive .... it drains the energy out of me .... the whole Msia & Spore will be moving and traveling along the North South Hway ....

This is the first time in my life traveling back sooooooo late and arriving on New Year eve. In the past, I will be so biz and excited ... stock up my booth and whole back seat of my car with CNY goodies ....

This year, my hands is almost empty going back .... no energy buy and carry so many things .. d most important thing is fish sos for the vietnamese popia and smoke cheese for Lyn .. all the way from Holland ...

The cartoon ... cute right? Hehehehe ... me frustrated on the road ... visualized by Jensen ... one of my Young Adults in GMC .. he's real talented and cool!

So .... off I go .... better start loading things into the car ...

Journey mercies ....

new year .... new hair do.....

Everyone one something new .... wants a change before the year ends .... new resolutions la ... new hair do, new clothes, new shoes .... new new new .....

My dear nephew also needs something new ... but its NOT by choice .... he has to cut his glorious long "bushy" hair ..the one that he can gel .. style .. do wet look .... the one that give him great "cool" looks ....

But ... too bad the school does not allow any of the students to have any other hairstyle except 1mm to a botak look .... so, boh pian .. the father and son both went for a hair cut 2 days ago ... the son has to say bye2 to his hair ... for awhile ... for another 2 years before he can explore different hairstyles and hair do on himself .... and then .. maybe can have new hairstyle or hair do every other week / month ... since according to his nguima his hair oledi grow long after 3 days cutting it!!!

I must say .... I also love his looks in his glorious hair ... especially when he gels it ... and have the just wake up look ... cool ....... I miss his hair ....

Now ... my dear nephew has this hairstyle and look like from some mass production factory ... when u go pick him up from the school .... u cannot see or recognize him cos every boy in school look and dress alike!!! .. hehehe ... but he sure still look cute ....

So, Ah Wen Chia .. no need action la ... not only you got new hairstyle tat makes u look 17 for the new year .... hehehhe ... budak ni pun ada ... murah pulak tu ....