To you, Granny.

Nei nei, which is the address for grandmother in Hakka, is what I used to call when I got home from school everyday.

I've been living with my granny for 18 years since I was born. I used to say "Nei, 我回来了" when I got home from school, even during the days she started to have dementia and can barely hear what we said. And I still remember she would always respond "乖, 去洗手" which I'm still practicing till today. 

Nei nei was a loving grandmother who loves us with all her heart. When I was in my young age, my brother and I would always run to her when we were to afraid of the thunderstorm or when my mother was about to cane us, she will always wrap her arms over and protect us. Nei nei was very talkative, probably that is why I'm talkative now. We used to sit down in the dining room and have our chit-chatting session while I was doing my homework, and she'll start her story-telling session. She talked about everything, her past, her story. I even knew how she survived from the World War II! She loves to joke around with us and once tricked us that she was the principal of the school, and believe it or not, my brother and I did actually believe her until my dad told us the truth few years ago.


I can still remember I was a drama addict (or maybe I'm still a drama addict now) and I used to watch TV dramas with my granny. When I get scolded by my parents, I would respond "Nei nei wants to watch too!". But I do not have the chance to watch drama with granny when her eyes condition get worsen day by day. Granny was just like other typical grandmother who was too afraid that her grandchildren would suffer from hunger. During my secondary school time, she used to ask my mother to change her big notes into RM1 notes. She would roll everything together and tie it with a rubber band and keep it in a little safe box. Everyday after dinner, she would call my brother and I to the room and pass us the money.

But people aged, and her body gets weaker as years passed by. Granny was admitted to the hospital when I was at the age of 15, and that was when dementia started to kick in. Her memory started to fade and can only remember things when she was younger. At the same time, her eyes and legs condition started to get weak as well. Things got worse 3 years later. Granny started to shout and scream in the middle of the night, telling us that she wants to go home. We couldn't help but to wake up and comfort her till she was too tired and fell asleep. 

Things need to be sorted out when our last maid decided to resign. Nobody can take care of granny during the daytime when we were in the school or my parents were working, and also during the night time. At last, everyone agreed to send her to the old folks home. 

After staying there for 1 year and 9 months, granny passed away.

I came to the news when I was having my lunch break with my uni friends on the Tuesday afternoon when I got a call from my mum knowing that my granny's condition was very critical and they had to go back to Malacca for awhile. But never did I know that granny will passed away because she was admitted to the hospital countless times before that. I got the news when I was having my last lecture (luckily the last) and I was literally stunned when I saw my dad's message. My heart started to pound hard and I was trying so hard to hold back my tears in front of everyone. 

My brother and I couldn't go back to Malacca right after we got the news because we both had exams on the following days and we can only go back on the Friday morning right after my brother's exam. I was emotionally and physically stressed out throughout that 3 days dealing with exams at the same time. 

During the funeral, I was given the chance on behalf of the Liow's cousins to deliver the eulogy in front of friends and relatives who were present that day and it wasn't an easy job. It wasn't easy just like how we did presentation in class. And it wasn't just reading words out from the draft but it shows how much I miss granny in my life. But thank God everything went well and I did not have a breakdown in front of everyone because I told myself to do it one last time for granny, making it a perfect one. 

Nei nei, everyone in the family will missed you dearly but it's even more heartbreaking to see you deteriorating in health, In each visit, we all know that you are home with the Lord and you are in a better place now, You are free from all suffering and pain and we just can't bear to see you going through all the pains.

The bible verse from 2 Timothy 4:7
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race and I have remained faithful to the end."

My grandmother have finished her race in life and have certainly remained faithful to the Lord. We clearly know that she is resting in heaven and would like all of you to keep up the good fight just like what she did in life.