Helen's Take

For as long as I can remember, since childhood actually, Auntie Helen has been part of the Wong extended family. She and my Auntie Anne have been friends for decades and she is regarded as part of the family. In fact my dad often referred to Auntie Helen as his defacto sister. She is on the list for every family gathering, every celebration.

Here are some of Auntie Helen's thoughts on my dad, in response to some of the comments that my post Eulogy To Dad generated ..........

Reading Lai Lin's words brought a huge lump to my throat. Yes. Your dad was not only a good gardener, he was a very generous man too. He freely gave away his treasured plants to all who asked. When I moved back to the city to live, I had to leave behind the basil plant, the pandan leaves and the fragrant lady-of-the-night. A whiff of the scent and memories will come flooding back. A lot of people out there are not aware that your dad was a very good singer. I will miss him, his smile, his jokes ..............

Photo of Auntie Helen shot at Passion Road during Auntie Mary's 70th birthday celebration in October 2009.

Greener On The Other Side

I was watching Whitney Houston's recent interview on Oprah. No holds barred, raw and honest, it brings to light that despite the enormous success that she has had, Whitney has to deal with issues just like everyone of us.

We often lament when we see others enjoying more success in their careers and relationships. Little do we realise that they too suffer from the same insecurities that we face, the same pressures at the workplace, the same emotional upheavels.

The thing is, we incessantly seem to think that the 'grass is always greener on the other side'. What we fail to acknowledge is that we too have it pretty good. We just need to focus on the positives. And no, the 'grass is not always greener on the other side'. We should instead be thankful for all the good in our life, work towards a purpose and lead a meaningful existence.

Photo shot at Passion Road in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Keeping A Secret

It is not easy keeping a secret. Especially when it involves 70 persons. My cousin Lynette was planning on surprising her mum, my Auntie Mary, with a birthday celebration, and boy did she succeed. Months of hushed discussions and imaginative strategies worked to perfection as the extended family and friends gathered at Passion Road yesterday afternoon for the tea party.

To say my aunt was surprised is an understatement. And that's when the organisers and cohorts get the biggest thrill. The icing on the cake? Great company, good food and a beautiful setting.

Being caught unawares aside, it is the thoughtfulness of family and friends that make such a celebration a memorable one. The care taken to plot, the cooperation extended by all the guests, the effort of having to take charge of the event as a whole, all these make the occasion meaningful.

Photo of Auntie Mary and family at Passion Road in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.