My great grandmother passed away last Wednesday on 26 January. She was 96 and I guess you could say that she was finally called home to be with the Lord. Been attending the wake at Harum over the past couple of nights, and it was pretty comforting and heartwarming to see all the family reuniting together for support. It was nice to see everyone again, especially since I wasn't around last year for CNY and that, apart from Lao Ma's annual birthday dinner (which come to think of it, its been three years since I last attended it), that's the only time in the year when I get to see my mum's side of the family. Its nice to see that all my grand aunts are still as jovial and crazy as ever, and it was awesome to catch up with Sam and Pei Ling again.

I wasn't close to my great grandmother at all, and like I said, the only times in a year when I'd see her would be during CNY and at her birthday dinner. But it was during those times when I did that she'd always hold my hand tightly and say two words to me whenever I saw her, and that was "Very pretty" in Hokkien. Obviously, as a young child, and as someone who can only manage English fluently, I had to get my grand aunts to translate what she said, but I remember being very happy and pleased whenever I heard her say that to me. After that I'd run off and play with my brother and cousins, but she'd always sit there quietly observing the family around her. I guess you could say that she was a staple figure in my mum's side of the family, someone who was always there and seemed to live forever. God really blessed her with such a long life, and a healthy one at that. Its also because of her that the whole Koh family is so close. Everyone coming together to visit her and catch up with one another. I guess its a gift that she left with all of us. And even though I didn't really know her, looking back now I'm truly thankful for her. I just hope that the family will still remain as close, and that we'll all continue her legacy and meet up consistently with everyone.

So goodbye, Lao Ma. I'll really miss you. But I know you're having a ball of a time up there in Heaven with your husband, God, Jesus and the angels. Thanks for everything you've given us, and till we meet again, I love you.

xoxo