Her Growing Up Years (I)

On this day of 三月初七日, the Lunar year of Rabbit in 1927, mum was born to the Loh family (Her dad 罗德昌 and mum 罗陈氏阿三) at about 5pm.

Mum is the second in line with two other brothers.

Back then, life was truly hard. It was especially difficult where only boys were favoured above all else. Mum received countless beatings from paternal great-granny and her older brother. But she clearly loved her younger brother dearly.

Many a times, mum sought solace from her mum, our grandma, who would nurse mum's wounds tenderly. Mum had always said that grandma was one of the kindest souls on earth and she would love her family unconditionally. This must have influenced mum greatly as mum is really an epitome of unconditional love and compassion herself.

Since toddler days, mum had always been fearful of the dark. But she was determined to lessen the family's burden. She would wake up as early as 4.30am to help out in the housework and the farm. And when the farm reaped nothing, she would try to make ends meet by bringing some basic handiwork to the market for sale.

I remember that once, while she hastened her move in the early hours of morn to bring harvested goods to the market for sale, she fell and hurt her forehead bad. But the fall did not stop her at all. She continue to head for the market and did not head home until the goods were completely sold.

That is how responsible and resourceful mum was.

(to be continued)