Ng (third from left) with her family, (from left) grandsons Liam and Ryan, Gelmo, Vessa and Gray, as they celebrate Christmas in George Town, Penang.
AS the holiday season approaches, many people around the world prepare to celebrate Christmas and New Year with joy and anticipation.
This time of year is filled with festive decorations, delicious food and cherished traditions.
For countless families, it is a special opportunity to reconnect, share stories and create lasting memories.
One such family is led by 88-year-old Lesley Ng, who was eager for the celebrations.
Living at the Penang Retirement Resort in George Town, Ng embodies the spirit of the season as she prepares to gather with loved ones and honour the traditions that have shaped her family over the years.
The retired educator delights in the opportunity to reunite with siblings, children, grandchildren and other loved ones .
“There are more than 20 members, so it’s always a merry time during this joyful and lively occasion,” Ng said.
Ng, 88, laying out Christmas ornaments at her unit at the Penang Retirement Resort. — Photos: ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
“We will start the celebrations by attending church together, followed by a hearty family lunch that includes extended family members.
“It’s not just about the food, though. It’s about sharing stories, reminiscing about the past and catching up with those who may not always be around.
“These simple yet profound moments are what make the holidays so special.
“I have always stressed the need to spend time together.”
The festive spirit has already taken over Ng’s home at the retirement community, with decorations in place since the first week of December.
Visitors are greeted by a beautiful wreath at the entrance, signalling the warmth and happiness that fills her unit during the holidays.
The decorations extend beyond just ornaments and lights.
Among her displays are Christmas cards, each one a reminder of past celebrations and the people she holds dear.
One of her most treasured items is a photo of her grandsons meeting Santa Claus when they were young.
It is a snapshot of innocence and joy that captures the magic of the holidays through the years.
Last Friday, she also joined other residents, staff members, family and friends for a Christmas celebration filled with music, laughter and togetherness at the resort.
Ng’s daughter Vessa Samson, 60, and son-in-law Jason Gray, 62, who flew in from Canada, have planned a special itinerary to ensure that Ng is surrounded by her loved ones.
Joining them are Ng’s grandsons, Ryan, 27, and Liam, 25, along with Ryan’s girlfriend, Sabrina Gelmo, 27.
The family is excited to spend quality time together, cherishing the traditions that have been passed down through the years.
Vessa said this year, the family’s Christmas celebrations began with a quiet dinner on Christmas Eve, just the immediate family.
“We ate roti jala and chicken curry, a dish my mother made for us growing up,” she said, highlighting the nostalgia of enjoying a family meal with recipes that have stood the test of time.
On Christmas morning, the family will head out for a festive lunch with their extended family.
Vessa, a marketing director at a digital health company, said they used to attend the midnight mass, but due to Ng’s age, they now go to church on Christmas Day instead.
“Growing up, my mum would cook meatloaf and turkey for lunch, and we would spend time with our grandparents and cousins.
“My mother always emphasised the importance of family time, especially during the festive season,” she said, adding that one of the family’s most treasured traditions was spending time at the swimming club, where they enjoyed the sun and each other’s company.
The celebrations do not stop after Christmas Day, as the family has planned to continue the festivities through the end of the year.
“We’ll spend the rest of our time together and usher in the New Year at the beach.
“We’re staying at a hotel in Batu Ferringhi for New Year’s Eve,” she said, adding that she looked forward to the relaxation and celebration that will mark the close of the year.
Although Vessa moved to Canada decades ago, she and her family have always made it a point to return to Penang regularly to visit her mother.
Her father and brother had passed on in 2019 and 2022, respectively.
“I call my mother every day, but there’s something special about being home with her, especially during Christmas,” Vessa said.
