Sunday, October 16, 2016
2943. Taiwan Travels: A mind as sharp as a tack
"A long long time ago," I was starting a conversation to a 78-year-old man during his birthday celebrations. His children were educated overseas in the 1960s. "I was born a rich man's son."
"No, not me," he did not elaborate.
In those days long time ago, many Malaysians were poor and yet he got his children educated in Australia and Canada.
He may be old in years but his mind is as sharp as a tack when I asked him which address would his elder daughter be staying 50 years ago, since he had shifted house 3 times. His daughter was less than 50 and so he would have to think.
"She was not even born then," he said.
"You have long term memory," I was glad that he had no signs of dementia.
This is a man old in years but his mind is as sharp as a tack. His elder daughter orgainised a surprise early birthday celebration and I was to keep it secret. He would know, I told the daughter. His mind is as sharp as a tack.
"No, not me," he did not elaborate.
In those days long time ago, many Malaysians were poor and yet he got his children educated in Australia and Canada.
He may be old in years but his mind is as sharp as a tack when I asked him which address would his elder daughter be staying 50 years ago, since he had shifted house 3 times. His daughter was less than 50 and so he would have to think.
"She was not even born then," he said.
"You have long term memory," I was glad that he had no signs of dementia.
This is a man old in years but his mind is as sharp as a tack. His elder daughter orgainised a surprise early birthday celebration and I was to keep it secret. He would know, I told the daughter. His mind is as sharp as a tack.
Thursday, October 13, 2016
2942. Taiwan Travels: Hugs and kisses for an aged father
Hugs and kisses are touches
They are taboo in the Chinese culture
Of respect for the elders
Of respect for the elders
One-to-one contact that lasts a few seconds
But they are very rarely, if ever presented
From an adult daughter to an aged father
Hugs and kisses matter much
To an aged father
Whose tomorrow may never come
Whose diabetes mellitus will never disappear
Hugs and kisses flash back
Memories of his little girl
Whom he hugged
Every time he carried her up
Onto the baby chair to feed her
To comfort her whenever she was sick or
Who hugged and kissed him
When she manipulated him to buy things for her
Hugs and kisses are sunshine
To an aged failing heart
So so very hard to receive from his adult daughter
Now that she had grown up to be prim and proper
Hugs and kisses
Waft the fragrance of the adult daughter's perfume to an aged father
Making him believe he is young and vigorous on this special day
Hugs and kisses are touches
One-to-one contact that lasts a few seconds
But they are very rarely, if ever presented
From an adult daughter to an aged father
The daughter googled to buy a sugar-free cake
To celebrate his 78th birthday
"Happy birthday to you," the family and friends sang this song
All the words sung are perfunctory
Nothing beats
Now that she had grown up to be prim and proper
Hugs and kisses
Waft the fragrance of the adult daughter's perfume to an aged father
Making him believe he is young and vigorous on this special day
Hugs and kisses are touches
They are taboo in the Chinese culture
Of respect for the elders
Of respect for the elders
One-to-one contact that lasts a few seconds
But they are very rarely, if ever presented
From an adult daughter to an aged father
The daughter googled to buy a sugar-free cake
To celebrate his 78th birthday
"Happy birthday to you," the family and friends sang this song
All the words sung are perfunctory
Nothing beats
Hugs and kisses for an aged father
One who had made much sacrifices
One who had to be frugal to ensure
That his daughter needed not worry
About non-payment of tuition fees
And would receive the best education
Hugs and kisses are touches
One-to-one contact that lasts a few seconds
But they are very rarely, if ever presented
From an adult daughter to an aged father
A peck on his cheek
Is not Chinese culture
But it is sunshine in his heart
And it matters
One who had made much sacrifices
One who had to be frugal to ensure
That his daughter needed not worry
About non-payment of tuition fees
And would receive the best education
Hugs and kisses are touches
They are taboo in the Chinese culture
Of respect for the elders
Of respect for the elders
One-to-one contact that lasts a few seconds
But they are very rarely, if ever presented
From an adult daughter to an aged father
A peck on his cheek
Is not Chinese culture
But it is sunshine in his heart
And it matters
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FIRST VERSION
HUGS AND KISSES FOR AN AGED FATHER
Hugs and cheek pecks are touches
They are not in the Chinese culture of respect for elders
Hugs and cheek pecks
Matter much for an aged father
Much more than words of "happy birthday to you!"
The fragrance of the busy adult daughter
In hugs and kisses
A contact that takes a few seconds
But is very rarely, if ever presented
Bring back memories of the little girl
Who was hugged every time he carried her up
Onto the baby chair to feed her
Whenever she was sick or was manipulative to get things from him
They are sunshine in an aged failing heart
So so hard to get from a daughter
Who is now a healthy busy adult
Who googled and presented a sugar-free cake
To surprise and celebrate his 78th birthday
"Happy birthday to you," the family sang this song
But for all the words
Nothing beats
Hugs and kisses for an aged father
Hugs and cheek pecks are touches
The waft of perfume from the busy adult daughter
In hugs and kisses
Makes him feel strong and vigorous
A peck on his cheek
Is not Chinese culture
But it is sunshine in his heart
And it matters
Monday, October 10, 2016
2941. Taiwan Travels: Filial Piety
Oct 10, 2016
The diabetic father has twice a day insulin injections. No sweet things at all.
At an Alishan bed and breakfast on Oct 10, 2016, he gathered some sweet things to go with his porridge. His daughter spotted them and admonishes him as he will suffer badly. No sweet ice cream for him and so much deprivation to watch his diet.
This picture of a daughter's admonitions is captured as an essence of filial piety. It is a role reversal now that the diabetic father is very old and this daughter hawk-eyes what items he gathers for breakfast in this Alishan tour.
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The diabetic father has twice a day insulin injections. No sweet things at all.
At an Alishan bed and breakfast on Oct 10, 2016, he gathered some sweet things to go with his porridge. His daughter spotted them and admonishes him as he will suffer badly. No sweet ice cream for him and so much deprivation to watch his diet.
This picture of a daughter's admonitions is captured as an essence of filial piety. It is a role reversal now that the diabetic father is very old and this daughter hawk-eyes what items he gathers for breakfast in this Alishan tour.
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