Friday May 10, 2013

A mother’s wish on special day

A mother’s dream: Chan (left) sharing her Mothers Day plans with another resident at the Grace Home Yeo old folks home in Johor Baru.

JOHOR BARU: All Chan Chap Hee wants for Mothers Day is a simple meal with her three children.

Chan, who stays at the Grace Home Yeo old folks home, said: “I don't blame my kids as I know that they are busy with their own lives.

“To me, Mothers Day is just like any other day, but this year, I just hope that they can make an exception and take some time off to be with me.”

Chan, 66, has three children.

One son works in Singapore while another son and a daughter are living in Terengganu with Chan's husband.

Chan, who is from Kota Tinggi, has been staying at the home for three years.

Her daughter-in-law would visit her once every few months.

Another resident Chai Yun, 69, said that she was looking forward to Sunday as her children had promised to visit her and celebrate Mothers Day with her.

“They told me that they would bring my favourite fruits like pineapples and grapes,” she said.

The mother of seven said she enjoyed staying in the home since May 2011 as she had many friends for company rather than staying at home alone.

“It is better for me to stay here rather than being lonely in my house as my husband passed away 20 years ago.”

Chai, who suffered a stroke three years ago, said she felt that it was better for her to be cared for at the home.

The director of the home said there were 46 residents there from Kedah, Penang and Terengganu as their children were mostly working in Singapore.

Church members would usually visit the home to cook up a feast for the old folks to mark the occasion.

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