A Testimony by my Brother

~Story-Prologue~
Alone from Teonan you came, from a little known part of China
Thousands of miles away from home, In search of a better life
Sailing the South China Sea, to join your husband here
Although he cheated on you, you kept faithful still
Bore him four sons and a daughter, which grew up strong and tall
You gave your life for their ... Read Morewellbeing, you sacrificed our youth
Hoping for that day, they’ll all make their mark
Hoping for that day, your off springs will make you proud

~Memories~

I don... Read More’t feel like sleeping I said, but with a smile she’ll always say
Close your eyes my boy and your dreams will take you there
Kind to me she was, Patient and supportive
Mischievous though I may be, she’ll never raise her voice
Although I was rude, never have I got beaten
Every first month of the year, besides reunion dinners
The next thing I long to do, Is to visit your place
For curry and cash wrapped in a pack
Every year I see her face, in a loving voice she’ll always say
Chiang, work hard ok?
And make your parents proud
Go to the best school, and make the world your footstool
My response is always the same; I’ll convince her that I will
When I tried to do my best, yet there’s a always “THE NEXT DAY”

~The Arm In Troubled Waters~

There are always times, our family lived lack
Although we should give, but from you we always received
Loans and blessings and even gifts, you never fail to give
Like the calm after the raging seas, your providence is the assurance
I may never know everything, but this thing I know
You have given us everything, a life... Read More, comfort and a soul
Given us so much amah, yet we gave only little to you
From birth, youth and even old age, your love will never change
From your heart it just kept flowing, your sacrifice it kept us going

~Rise and Fall~

Many years have passed, since you set foot here
Age got the better of you, And time have took its toll
A weakened spirit and an ailing body, and still you carried on
Never given up, Never given in
Despite your age, a fighter you always were
However steady you may be, Age still got a hold
The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak... Read More, the spirit fights but the flesh gives in
It all started with a fall, which has left you unable to walk
In the ward you silently lay, wondering if it is the last of days
At first we were worried, but then we understood
It’s just a fractured bone they say, our worries went away
Even with a peace of mind, your heart is filled fear
Why are you in this hospital? We always try to tell
Even while we screamed and yelled, your blocked ear worked really well

~Tragedy~

It was 1pm, the time my service end
I was greeted by the news, the one I dread the most
The moment I read the message, my mind was in a mess
Less than 24hours to live, And I wondered what happens if
I rushed down on a cab, Can... Read More’t put it on any tab
There I saw your face, Alive but not awake
I stood there trying to resist death; you laid there with a struggling breath
The moment your heart stopped beating, despite the verdict I tried
Hoping that you’ll open your eyes, I tried touching, rubbing and calling
But the fact’s that you have died

~Regret~

At first I visited often, Once or twice I did
When my work started to catch up, my mind I... Read More’ve never make up
There’s time there always will, “She’ll be ok” my mind assumed.
Mum always visits now and then, invited me to tag along
Too busy I was, too tired I am, that I would always say
There’s always time there always will, my mind will always assume
On the day I finally decide, to drop by and say hi
I was greeted by grave news, and I rushed to be by your side
There you lay struggling, Breathing your dying breath
Thought you’re technically alive, But your conscience have went away
I prayed for you, I swear I did, But it was not enough
The last thing I would ever expect to know
The last time you saw me was months ago
And how would I ever expect, that was the last time you’ll ever see me
Now that I’m here again, your life is fading away
I’m sorry amah I really am, oh the guilt and the shame
Why didn’t I chose to visit, when I know that I still can

Now that I... Read More’m finally here, the time for you is near
On that thought I burst to tears, Regretful and apologetic
Realizing that I have forsaken, whose life to me she’ve given.

~Epilogue~

To him that mourn let him not forget
To cherish those around or regret
Never put your family below your personal gains
Cos you never know if you’ll ever see them again

This Testimony is dedicated to Tan Siok Hiang

Departed peacefully 12 October 2008

Aged 87

In loving memories and honor of one of the greatest grandmother that have ever lived.

Although your name will fade with time
It will stay in our heart
Although your name will die with us
Through this post amah, be immortalized

Love,

Ze Chen