Moving with Times

I'll always remember how often my parents lament about "Times have changed". Has it really been that different? Growing up in luxury and comfort, I can hardly recall the harsh times of living in the rural kampong where the toilet is outside the house, having to visit it at night is definitely out of the question. I can still vaguely remember the big house full of rooms by its long narrow corridor with its slated zinc roof. My grandparents came from China in their late teens and made Singapore their home. They have 15 kids between them and almost lots count of how many grandchildren. Used to having everyone living under the same roof, my grandparents wanted the same concept to be applied to even his children, hence he bought a piece of land and built an apartment years ago and gave each of his sons an unit to set up their own family.

Growing up is FUN! I never felt like I needed to be afraid of who is walking up the stairs, if it was any strangers, I would always have the authority to question their pressence and "drive" them away. Because, my neighbours are my aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and more importantly, my parents and grandparents. It was a secure childhood filled with memories of how our brothers converted an open space into a badminton court, bought the poles, set up the nettings and viola we have a badminton court which we spent endless after school hours hanging out. Even the cracks on the floor became one of our favourite gaming grounds when we invented the "pacman" game using it. A small flight of stairs before the gate became also our playground for playing catch. We never ran out of ideas nor space to have fun. We never have to fear mixing with bad company, only our parents were fearful of us not returning home clean for dinner hee.

If there was any other better childhood, I think mine is one of the best I can ever imagine. I was indeed blessed.

Besides having an apartment for us, grandpa also build a "home" for his ancestors in our building. He firmly believe that one must always remember our roots and ask for blessings from our ancestors. They look really intimitating when you first see them. I suppose simply the large number of the tablets at one place is scary. We used to have guests who got scared when they see the many tiers of the tablets and decide that they went to the wrong place and turn back hee.



When we were young, our parents would impress upon us that we were always "watched" by some of these ancestors, so whenever we leave the house, we should let them know where we were going so that they can watch over us. But, gradually, being the last min me, always dashing out of the house, I seldom found time to stop over to them and burn them the joss-sticks to "inform" them. So I guess, they know little about me heh.

When we got older and if we did something really bad, our parents will punish us by asking us to kneel infront of the ancestors, yes, I kana once too. It was really scary to be alone on your knees in the cold windy night infront of so many of them....

The reason for this blog is to say goodbye to them. They are moving off to their next "home" where the rest of the family members' ashes are. Our uncles figured that its better for them to be moved now then later, so we gathered round them and pay our last respects towards them at home before sending them to their new home.



It was a simple and solemn ceromony lasting barely 10mins with a taoist monk doing some chants before my uncles were given permission to invite them to leave their existing place to follow the vehicle to their new home. It would be the last time that they will be seen here with us. Although its a neccessary action, but its definitely part of a memory piece that will remain with me.

Looking at the big playground of my parent's place, many of our favourite play swings, rides were gone. Our fathers used to tailor-make swings and merry-go-rounds for us. We spent our childhood sitting these rides and now they are all gone. It is sad. However, it serves to remind us that nothing lasts forever, every glory will have its sunset, every childhood will have is memories.

Yes, even the ancestors have moved with times. How can we just stand still?