HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY FAVORITE OCTOGENARIANS

October has turned out to be a month to celebrate senior citizens. Just last week we had the U3A carnival (19 Oct) held in UPM and the National Day of Older Persons held in Kuantan (22 Oct). I have written about these events in my previous post.

October is also the month of birthdays in my family. My grand-daughter Hana celebrated her 9th birthday on 13 Oct. My mother turned 87 on 10 October, my brother Henry's 64th birthday fell on 14 Oct, and my Uncle Xavier marked his 80th birthday on 22 Oct. He celebrated the auspicious occasion with his family, friends, former colleagues and golf buddies with a grand dinner on 20 Oct at the exclusive Read Masonic Centre.

My mom on her 86th birthday last year, with my younger daughter Belle.
Photo taken at the Dementia Homecare Centre in Teluk Panglima Garang.

Before the month comes to a close, I would like to pay tribute to my mom and my uncle.

My mom circa 1940s

My mother Annie Goh Kwee Foung, 87

In her own way, my mom is an amazing woman. Widowed when she was only 30, she never remarried, although her exquisite oriental beauty attracted many suitors and secret admirers. In the 1950s, young widows were expected to honor the memory of their deceased husband by remaining faithful. My mom probably also didn't want to incur the wrath of my paternal grandmother, the matriarch of the family. Everyone was in awe and fear of my grandmother.

My mom's beauty salon in Batu Pahat

I never really knew my dad. He died young, leaving my mom with six children to raise. I was the eldest at 8, with my siblings aged 7, 6, 4, 2 and the youngest soon to be born. My mom was pregnant when my dad passed away after a short illness. Under such circumstances, and with little financial support, my mom went through a period of depression. She had to be sent away for treatment.

At the time, my mom was proprietress of a beauty salon in Batu Pahat. My dad had helped set it up for her in 1947. It was the income from this modest little business that fed the whole family.

Mom and her six children. Photo taken in 1961.

My uncles and aunties also chipped in to help. Some helped with financial assistance, others volunteered to take in my younger brothers and sisters. That is why when it comes to dialects and languages, Henry speaks Hokkien fluently, Shirley is more comfortable with Mandarin, Raymond and Felicia with Cantonese, and I speak English as my first language. My sister Molly and I were the only two siblings who remained with Mom till we left Batu Pahat after completing our Form 5.

Me, my brother Henry and my sister Shirley
on mom's 87th birthday on 10 Oct 2013

The years have passed quickly. My mom is now 87 years old. Diagnosed with dementia in 2011, she has since moved to a residential home that caters specially to people with dementia. I have written about this home in Teluk Panglima Garang in previous blog posts. She is happy there with her new friends and trained staff to see to her needs. I visit her as often as I can. I know one day as her dementia progresses and her memory fades, she may no longer recognize me as her daughter.

I salute my mother and all mothers who toiled through sweat and tears to raise their children, provide them with a good education, and instil in them the right values.

My Uncle Xavier Goh Khen Wah, 80

My uncle Xavier is my mom's younger brother. After completing high school at St Paul's Institution in Seremban, he left on a government scholarship to study electrical engineering in Australia. Upon his return, he worked as an engineer in the Telecommunications Department of Malaya and remained there till his retirement in 1986. He has been always close to my mom. His financial and moral support helped her through the difficult years.

My uncle was posted to various parts of West Malaya in his early years with Telecoms Malaya. This may explain why he can't stay put for long in one place. I remember during school holidays, he would take my siblings and my cousins on trips to the towns where he was posted. I can still recall one trip in particular to Sungai Petani in Kedah. That was in November 1963. It was the most enjoyable school holiday I had in my growing up years.

Visiting North Korea

At his recent 80th birthday dinner, Uncle Xavier shared a slide presentation of his travels. He has been bitten by the travel bug ever since his early days as a student in Australia. Despite his advancing age, Uncle Xavier is always eager to be off to another destination every chance he gets, most of the time back-packing to exotic places off the beaten track.

He has been to more than 55 countries to date - from the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru to the old monasteries in Bhutan and Tibet, from Jerusalem in Israel to Pyongyang in North Korea, my uncle has probably seen all the wonders of the world. Uncle Xavier has had a triple bypass, but this has not diminished his wanderlust. He continues to enjoy life as an intrepid world traveller and avid photographer.

With young novice monks in Bhutan

At the wailing wall in Jerusalem

Uncle Xavier with Aunt Sylvia at his recent 80th birthday celebration on 20 Oct 2013

To my mom and Uncle Xavier, a big toast to both of you on your birthday. May there be many more happy returns of the day.

CELEBRATING OLDER PERSONS DAY IN OCTOBER

Regular visitors to Seniorsaloud blog would have noticed that I have been griping about public apathy to the International Day of Older Persons in my last few blog posts. Well, I have no reason to continue with my laments now, thanks to two events that took place over the past four days.

First was the U3A Carnival on 19 Oct. It was jointly organized by the Institute of Gerontology, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and University of the Third Age (U3A) of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor with the theme "Celebrating Our Golden Years". Held for the first time at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UPM, it was an event highly anticipated by U3A members.

Open to the public, more than 90% of the 350 tickets were sold before the event. At only RM5 each, it was incredibly affordable, especially when it included complimentary breakfast and lunch, as well as a chance to win attractive prizes in the lucky draw. The grand prize was a 3D2N free stay at a 4-star hotel in Cameron Highlands for four persons.

The carnival programme featured talks, activities and stalls selling a variety of items including clothes, handmade soap, books and handicrafts made by U3A members. There was also an exhibition of art pieces and photos by members.

Carnival highlights in pictures:

U3A gamelan group entertaining the audience before the start of the opening ceremony.

Prof Dr Tengku Aizan Hamid, Director of the Institute of Gerontology at UPM, delivering the keynote address. She spoke on "Mobilizing the Potential of Older Persons". 

Mr Ted Adnan, U3A instructor for digital photography dispensing photography tips at the carnival. On the display panels are photos taken by U3A members, and also their art work.

Posters highlighting U3A activities from 2007 to 2012. Many people were impressed by the large number of short courses offered by U3A, and by the low course fees. Only RM80 per semester for any three courses.

Food, drinks and clothes on sale at the stalls. U3A members could book these stalls for free to sell their products. 

This stall sells handicrafts made by U3A members.

Mrs Jagjeet Singh demonstrating Nordic Walking. Many in the audience had never heard of Nordic Walking till they attended the carnival. (Photo: Mrs Jagjeet)

Line dance instructor Mrs Jan Ghani and her team of ladies from the Happy Senior Citizens Club demonstrating the Electric Slide at the carnival.

Free health screening at the carnival. The gentleman here is taking the balance-gait test.

Based on feedback, everyone had a good time. Who knows, we might have the carnival on a biennial basis. But for now, as the organizing chair of the carnival, all I want is a good long rest!

Official launch of the celebration of the National Day of Older Persons.

The second event came out of the blue with an invitation to U3A to participate in an exhibition held in conjunction with the celebration of the National Day of Older Persons in Kuantan on 22 Oct. It was to be a double celebration as 24 Oct is the 83rd birthday of the Sultan of Pahang, Sultan Ahmad Shah.

With just one day to rest after the carnival, I was off to Kuantan on 21 Oct with a small group of U3A committee members. Our van was packed to the brim with the exhibits from the carnival.

IG-U3A booth at the exhibition showcasing members' art and craft and also posters depicting U3A activities and courses.

Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim (in purple), dropping by at the U3A booth. Dato Ghani, our U3A president, is on the right.

U3A members from Kuala Lumpur who attended the function in Kuantan.

According to news reports, 2,500 'golden citizens' were invited to celebrate the National Day of Older Persons. They had the honour of having high tea with the Sultan of Pahang in the Grand Ballroom. The Sultan will be celebrating his 83rd birthday on 24 Oct.

Sultan Ahmad Shah presents a gift to
Helen who shares the same birthday
as the Sultan. (Photo: Berita Harian)

On 22 Oct, a busload of U3A members made the 4-hour trip from Kuala Lumpur to Kuantan. It was a fun outing for them. They visited the exhibition and joined hundreds of other warga emas (golden citizens) for high tea with the Sultan in the grand ballroom. Sultan Ahmad Shah presented awards to six deserving senior citizens for their outstanding achievements in education, culture and entertainment.

Today 23 Oct is the day after, and I am back in KL. My feet are still aching from the hours of standing. But I am not complaining. Two special events for senior citizens within the same week. Can't ask for more. Will October 2014 see similar celebrations? Let's wait and see...