“A Special Day of Love and Family: Celebrating Grandma Wilma’s Birthday. It’s An Honourable 93rd Beautiful Years of Her Life.”

The lead picture was edited by Canva.

This happened in January 2023. I just shared about our “Gangstah Granny,” the coolest grandma I’ve ever known. But sadly, she’s no more with us now, just a few months later after this event. When I looked at all these photos, I couldn't stop expressing. I think I have to write about and share her. And I will do my best to tell the story of about that day. We are all at my in-laws' house to celebrate someone very special day, it’s grandmother, Wilma, who turned 93 years old. The house was full of noise and laughter. And some of relatives and siblings started arriving one by one. And some also bring they’re special dish, and everyone comes and hugs grandma. Some relatives came from the nearby, and some traveled far just to be there. And everyone is excited to see Grandma Wilma. She just sitting at her favorite chair, across from the main door, smiling as her grandchildren from Singapore walked in. Her hair is done nicely by her youngest daughter, she also wore pretty earrings, a beautiful flower dress, and looked gorgeous. Even at 93, she still looked strong, calm, and full of love. One of the youngest grandchildren is my daughter Doris. Grandma carried her on her lap. Boris, who was only 2 years old at that time, called her “GG.” For the little kids, GG means “Great-Grandma,” but for the older grandkids, it meant “Gangster Grandma.”

My husband shared a funny memory. He said that when he was younger, Grandma would tell him, “Have a cigarette while you’re young, drink a beer now, because once you’re married and have kids, you can’t do that in front of them.” And it’s true, when we had children, my husband changed overnight. He stopped smoking and drinking heavily. Now he only drinks a little during special occasions. Grandma laughed and said, “Ninety-three already! God has really blessed me.” Then my husband whispered to me, “She used to carry big sacks of rice when she was younger. And riding a motorbike to school. She was a teacher back then. She was so hard worker. With 8 children. The whole house smell of all deference kinds of delicious foods. And of course, I also bring some Filipino food like adobo, pancit, and lumpia, which is always sold out at every party here in Malaysia. I bring this food. My two daughters and they’re cousins helped set up the table, and we all ate together. During the meal, some of the grandkids took turns sitting with Grandma. They showed her pictures on their phones, held her hand, or simply stayed beside her. She listened carefully and asked them about their lives and school, and work. One granddaughter, Andrena, came all the way from Singapore with her brother and her parents. She knelt beside Grandma and said, “Thank you, GG. You teach me to be strong and kind. I never forgot your words.” Grandma hold Andrena’s hand and replied, “That’s all I ever wanted, for you all to be good and kind. Life isn’t always easy, but love and kindness will guide you.”

After dinner, one grandson called from abroad. Grandma was woken up and teared up when she heard his voice. But she is so happy. After all the eating, we all gathered in the living room. There was a birthday cake with one candle. Everyone sang “Happy Birthday.” It wasn’t perfect, some sang too loud, some too soft, but it was full of love. Someone asked, “What did you wish for?” She smiled and said, “I hope all of you stay close. Even if you go far, don’t forget this home, this family. This is where we belong.” Her words were simple but touched all our hearts. After all the cake slices and all enjoyed the butter cake, it's grandma's favorite, the kids played outside, and the adults sat together, drinking beer, some had coffee, and chatting. Grandma Wilma had a blanket around her shoulders. And she is getting tired, we are all preparing the children, and we also go home. Such a memorable moment of hers, such wonderful memories to look back on, and she will always be in our hearts. All her wisdom and advice we will always remember.