A Very Sad Time

I realise I haven't written anything for ages, but you will understand that a lot has happened...

In early Sept we learnt that Ray's Mum was terminally ill with cancer.  It was a real blow since before we left the UK she had recovered really well from an operation to remove a tumour and was looking really well - in fact she had reverted to looking after us...cooking for us etc. 

Anyway, she decided to come over to Hong Kong to spend time with her friends and family over here, knowing that it might be her last chance. It was so nice that she did this and we got to spend what turned out to be her last few precious weeks together.  She was extremely brave and dignified right up until the end, which served to further my respect for her and deepen my sadness that her Grandchildren will have known her so little.

She was a woman of few words, but infact great intelligence. Ray and Evonnie were admirable in everyway...as they always have been towards their mother.  They looked after her always, and particularly well when she fell ill - and right up until the end.

Amelie has enormously fond memories of her Por Por, which is great.  She remembers the soups and food that she used to feed her.  She remembers that she used to have tea in her pink cup at Por Por's flat, help herself to plums, beg for yoghurt raisins and jump around the sofa until the cushions were all on the floor. She remembers that she bought her a beautiful party dress...in fact she chose to wear it today.  Por Por always let her have her lipstick and took her on the bus to play on the cars in Warrington.

I will always remember Ma Ma making Anthony smile by chatting and clicking at him.  It is so good that she knew him, even for such a short while.  In fact she was the first visitor into the delivery suite (along with Aunty Cindy). She marvelled at his big eyes...and how hungry he was!

Ma Ma helped us enormously - always cooking for us and tidying up as she went! Even mess she hadn't made!  She fed us, our friends and my family hundreds of times over the years.  She looked after Amelie hugely.  I'll always remember her running around after Amelie with a bowl of dinner - insisting that Amelie ate it all - and normally she did!

She also put a roof over my head for a year after we returned from travelling and a few summers prior to that.  She was so laid back and easy to be with, and at the same time knew what she wanted to do "I watch my television now" - meaning the Chinese soaps were about to be put on the box and there would be no budging!  I'll never be able to watch tennis without thinking of her.  She was dedicated to watching every tennis tournament in the world - a true armchair expert.

I did as much as I could for Ma Ma when she was sick and I'm sure she appreciated that. I did finally get to thank her for all she did for us in the 15 or so years I knew her, and I am grateful for that.  I couldn't begin to speak for Ray and Evonnie, their feelings and memories, but suffice to say they are heartbroken to have lost their Mum so suddenly.