16 April 2022 Saturday - birthday and reunions

 

There's probably been about a dozen birthday celebration dinners for my parents in law, when we fly in and reunite with Sam's favourite uncles and aunties, and during most of those times we usually invite one of our friends and now our children are doing the same. It is a continuation of  'what if we run out of things to talk about with my parents?' - better to have a familiar face closer at hand to talk to. Selinna, Laffy, Shane, Ivy, Swee, Enghooi, Belinda, and tonight, Sarah and Brinda. 

Serves us right for doing this to our parents, it is happening to us now. 

5 March 2022 Saturday - family ties

view through our apartment window in Paris

I was halfway through my laps when I stopped to call Sean; he had mentioned earlier that much of the work seemed to have stalled, or reduced to uninteresting stuff. I guess that comment still played on my mind. 

I reminded him that he was there for new work experience, to learn and to prepare himself for professional exams. So, if not many of those things are happening - he should speak to the partners and see what they can do to change the situation - so that Sean has options. I suggested that he can think about stopping after his trip to Scotland for graduation ceremonies. But he wanted to keep his verbal promise to stay the two years, which times out nicely with Sara's studies. 

I told him about the work which is coming in the office and also about our impending registration as a Sdn. Bhd. and partnership with Freddie and Penghui both of whom he will be working with (instead of reporting to me all the time.) We talked about the succession plan; people in their 40s, 30s and him 20s. He mentioned that he would like to come home to live here, that he can't imagine staying in West Malaysia. We chatted for 22 minutes, and he rang off saying that he will treat Sara to a nice lunch; it is her birthday today. 

 

4 Feb 2022 Friday

 Last day before Sean and Sara leaves for KL, there is a quiet hurry to fit in originally planned activities; a game of tennis, a bit of gardening and putting up of cat shelves. The highlight of my day was a 30-minute hit of tennis on damp courts with Sean, he was quiet but livened up when I asked if he had plans; it seems that J invited him for an aimless walk followed by dinner. This is what I felt he should do more of, as a distraction from work-life. 

Later in the evening, Sara helped me replant some papaya seedlings at the end of the garden. I am trying to revive my gardening routine like how I am re-starting my running regime.

Bye Josie

We met Josie on the 18th November some 12 years ago. We were at the Kuching 3rd Mile wet market wanting to buy some ingredients for a birthday (mine) dinner that night when I noticed her walking about in the bottom of a deep planter box. She seemed cheerful enough so I picked her up and put her into my shopping basket as my birthday present.

We have had her for 12 years during which she demanded little of us as a family; except to be part of our family. She was robust and willful, until a year ago when she lost the use of her kidneys. The doctors gave her a few weeks to live. Sam is equally willful (and robust) and started a regiment of daily drips and injection - first self administered at home and later at the doctors. By then, Josie had suffered a stroke and lost her sight - she was skin and bones. Every morning, Sam would drive to the doctors with Josie in the back seat for her hour long drip - this went on for several months.

Sam and Josie (who was blind by this time) on the way to the doctor.

I have only driven Josie to the doctors only once and even then, had Sara to help with carrying her in and out of the car. On the 22nd of last month, Josie left us - one year after the doctors thought she would not make it - her willfulness shone through until the end.