SimonSimple

Hi People

When I was young I did not feel at all poor, even though we had to share the limited blessings that we had from my father’s meagre salary from being the sole breadwinner. I remember savouring the meat of the tiny ‘ikan kuning’ that was shared among the younger siblings in the household. I remember waiting with great anticipation for the Lunar New Year to come around because then my eldest sister would have sewn 2 or 3 new sets of clothing for my younger brother and I. My eldest sister was such a dear. Mind you, she still is. In fact, because our dear Mother has since departed to be with the Lord, eldest sister has been the doyenne of the clan. She is the best cook ever, whipping up dishes for family gatherings, making New Year cookies, baking cakes, sewing pretty dresses for her daughters and nieces.

My second sister is also such a dear. My mother would assign the household chores and divide them equally. Equally among my 2 sisters that is! Because the weekend dishwashing was the heaviest, my 2 sisters would work out an unusual arrangement worthy of any management-union negotiation - the duties would be something like this: this week 1st sister would do Mon Wed Fri and 2nd sister would do Tue Thu Sat. Then next week, 2nd sister took over M W F and 1st sister would do T T S. But what of Sundays? Well this was alternated between the 2 sisters. It appeared the family chores were divided fairly and equally. There was harmony among the workers and there seemed little room for complaints of any sort. We all survived the growing up years. (Truth be told, I do feel there was some kind of injustice ever since I became aware that there movements such as ‘women’s liberation’ and ‘equal opportunities’ and the like.)

My sisters were like real stand-ins for my mother. I remember when Mother was out marketing or out with Father, my 2 sisters would be doing the mothering. They were quite a pair. They were very close. They still are.

I sometimes wonder why brothers are not as close as sisters. Perhaps it is a gender thing. Or perhaps we just don’t show it.

Today I was out for lunch with some office colleagues. And to my pleasant surprise, one of my elder brothers came up behind me and laid his protective hands over my shoulders and made small talk with my friends. I guess he was showing this sibling his love for a younger brother.

A note of humour to end this post. A few weeks ago I was officiating at a wedding solemnization. The groom gave his vows effortlessly. The bride choked on her vows. She was rather emotional and tears flowed freely. I wanted her to compose herself before she went on so I advised her to take her time. The advice from her younger sister was short & to the point. “Sister, just think of the mascara and your makeup!”