My Dearest Acha

My 30th Day Eulogy!

I remember acha for his warmth, strength, humour and wisdom.

Early Years
During my early years I remember acha enrolling us to English School Kulai as we arrived from India. He made sure we had tuition classes to catch up on our English, Math and BM. He was concerned that we behaved well during tuition classes. I remember whilst at Kulai Besar the four of us, chachi, kochai and Jopi were a bit loud and noisy towards the end of a tuition class and didn’t realise that acha was observing us at a distance when he came to pick us home. You guessed it; we got a mouth lashing when we got home.


Our home the 'half-way house' between Spore and KL

When guests came to the house we were to be seen and not heard. He would call us one by one to introduce us to his relatives or friends! I dreaded this very much. It was embarrassing because some of them would make some remarks, like whom I resemble etc. The guest were really lucky as acha would slaughter chickens and amma would cook ‘kari ayam kampung’. They would also be served ‘ubi kayu’ which we planted at the backyard. We reared chicken, turkeys, duck and planted greens, tapioca and curry leaves. Turkey was saved for Christmas night yearly! When I took up Agricultural Science in Form 4, I started planting long beans, ladies fingers and four angled beans.

'Merdeka'

At Midlands and Kulai Oil Palm I remember the many annual Merdeka Sports Days. Acha’s staff looked forward to the event. He treated all his staff well. They would request that I take part alongside them. Acha was proud of my athletic ability. I remember once he even allowed me to travel on the back of a lorry home with his staff. The journey was from Kulai Oil Palm to Midlands. That was an experience I relish to this day.

Hari Raya Puasa

I remember the Hari Raya Puasa delivery of the wide array of homemade ‘kuih muih’ by his staff. Acha will reciprocate with a lavish Christmas dinner which they looked forward too! He would also get Amma to pack our Malayalee cakes for them to take home to their families. The staff would also gladly help us cut branches of a Christmas tree to make a ‘natural’ Christmas Tree for us to decorate in our hall every year!

Pray, pray, pray!

Acha implanted in us that prayer was an integral part of our family life. Back then we had our evening ‘Angelus’ and daily night prayers. Prayer time was stretched longer if it was a special month dedicated to Mary or a special saint! We had strong knees then! The evenings were spent making the garlands for the holy pics. Usually Jopi and I would team up to pluck the flowers from the garden to do it. I remember the numerous yearly trips, novenas Acha has taken me prior to the LCE and MCE exams. The churches include St Jospeh’s church and OLP in Singapore, SFX at Melaka and St. Theresa at Masai too! Acha encouraged us to take part in church activities while we were young like YCS and convent retreats. Upon retiring he did not volunteer to do church work as he believed that some people who worked in the church were not truthful and he did not want to be part of it.

PTC

I remember Acha coming for one of my school’s first PTC. His update to his friends who also came for their kids PTC was…”the teacher called me all the way to just have a friendly chat”. Ms Quek my teacher said positive things about me and all she said was all that he already knew about his daughter! From that year on NO more PTC attendance by acha…hehe...Lucky me!

Reading is endless!

He inculcated in me the habit of reading newspapers and even subscribed to the Malay daily to improve our Bahasa when a credit was compulsory for a full cert. He was an avid football fan cum player during his younger days. His interest was infectious and we all took to the sport. We could play football or train in our neighbourhood. He kept abreast of his favourite game till his last days.

Watching over his brood

Acha was protective of his daughters and did not encourage us to pursue our studies abroad. He was more liberal towards his sons, be it education abroad or marriage. He changed with the time and mindset evolved...cool! He was compassionate to his grandchildren and pampered them. His happiest moments were with his family, relatives and friends.

Health

His age and health took a toll on him two years ago. Philo and I became Florence Nightingales to him for a brief time. Then came along Chenney from Cambodia (god sent) who took over from us timely. Perhaps, Acha would not have savoured all his favourite food during his last days, I know back in his mind he knows it
would do more harm than good if he consumes more of it. We were being cruel to be kind to him!


Last day
On my last visit and day with Acha, he was indeed frail. He lifted his hand and smiled broadly. He did not speak much but lifted his hand to reach out to me as Chenney and I cleaned him that morning. Upon reaching home to Subang Jaya, I called Philo and updated her of Acha's condition. Immediately she suggested that we both became Florence Nightingales during November Year end holidays. My reply was ' I don't think he can hold on any longer'

Till we meet again

I now wish Acha a peaceful time with his creator.

Till we mee again, I love you always Acha!

Sutha mole 24th October 2011.