Do Not Forget

I never cry in sad movies or musicals. When everyone is sniffling around me, I would look around, dry-eyed, and sometimes tried squeezing out a tear or two just to blend in with the crowds or with my friends. But no tears rolled out, usually. During our ROM vows, tears welled up in Hubby's eyes, and he choked on his vows. But I remained calm and dry-eyed, and I remembered looking at Hubby in horror and thinking to myself, "Oh no, please don't cry in front of this crowd (we had many friends and family with us that day)!"

In fact, Hubby sometimes commented I resemble a man in the sense that I am not very emotional and I don't express a lot of typical feminine traits. And I do agree with him.

However, when a friend sent me this video this afternoon, I started tearing rather profusely in my office.

This is a poignant reminder for all of us not to forget who we are and where we came from. Our conversations with friends are rife with the topics of our children and how wonderful they are. Have we ever spoken blatantly about how much we love our parents and the sacrifices they had made in order to mould us into who we are today?

Granted, I believe we spoke about our parents - but perhaps more of complaints and grumblings - about how they nagged at us, how they used to be Tiger Mums and Dads to us, but seldom of appreciation and endless love. I am one of those guilty of that!

For me, I am thankful that my parents are always there whenever I need them. I am thankful that my Mum gives up her precious time to care for my children while I work. I am thankful that my Dad loves the Bees a lot. And I am thankful that they used to be a pair of Tiger Mum and Dad, despite much hardships, to sculpt me into who I am today.

I am wondering if I should show my mum this video. She is a very typical lady who will cry at the drop of a pin...and I am not very good at comforting crying folks! :)

Or perhaps I should show my Bees. To remind them to appreciate their grandparents...and eventually, us, when we are older and not as strong or agile. Will we then become the burdens they will loathe? Or will we be taken for granted and ignored? Points to ponder indeed.

My Brother The Chef

My brother has a deep interest in cooking (unlike me!) and relished in cooking for the family. Over the Father's Day weekend, he invited our family, together with my Mum and Dad, for an Italian feast that he single-handedly whipped up for all of us! He almost baked a strawberry dessert, if not for me asking him to take a rest and spend quality time with us in the living room! 

It was such an enjoyable evening. We were treated to starters of a piquant salad filled with fresh lettuce and strips of brilliant carrot, complete with tangy Japanese dressing that piqued our appetite. Then, he brought out steaming plates of spaghetti bolognese with succulent shiitake mushrooms and tomatoes, and a plate of mouth-watering pasta with prawns just for Mum because she doesn't take beef. Glorious! 

Mum was beaming - she was probably thinking that her cooking genes did end up somewhere, unfortunately not in her daughter, but in her son! 

We all enjoyed the evening so much. Thereafter, we sat down and went through all our holiday photos, and had a great time chilling out. The Bees were entertained to bits, and we certainly look forward to another feast cooked by their beloved jiu jiu!