Little Rented Rooms..

Mum and dad used to move around and stayed in different rented rooms.

Life wasn't particularly good but each of these little haven provided roof for the birth of her little offsprings.

Little feets of Leng and Alice filled the rustic farms in Potong Pasir for simple work and pleasures. Those were the days where fresh air, muddy ponds with small lotus flowers bloomed and little animals ran havoc in the little community.

Ming and Heng were more adventurous - venturing beyond Lorong 25 Geylang to other parts of streets with friends seeking fun and thrill - leaving mum anxious on most days. Food from the market was simple yet delectable - from char kway teow, kuay chap to soya bean drinks and chendol.

Paya Lebar home was the first home where mum and dad paid with their hard earned money - a place where we called our own. I was born there.

It was a place where beautiful and bitter memories intertwined. But today, with mum's unconditional love, I have moved on to be a healthy and positive person.

Regardless of where we were, mum remained the centre pillar of strength and love where we grew up to be what we are today. Mum never failed to grill into us the importance of being independent, down to earth and pragmatic. She maintained that we must learn to be loving and understanding towards the less fortunate or anyone who is in need of attention. We need to be aware, mindful and appreciative of our blessings and what we already have.......And for sure, be thankful to those who have rendered us love and help.

The list goes on.... and these have and will continue to serve us well. Whether we can successfuly inculcate hese valuable values and traits to the next generation is a great challenge in today's changing world. But we shall try our level best... No doubt about it.