i was at the pool earlier and decided to take a breather before i leave. as i sat on the pool chair looking at people frolicking in the water, i noticed an ah mmm and an ah pek (hokkien for an "old lady" and "old man" respectively) walking into the pool. ah mmm was carrying 2 long plastic tubes (the types where children would use as floats) and the ah pek was carrying a plastic bag. i supposed it contained their toiletries.
they both walked with a slight hunch. slowly they entered the pool. very deliberately. very carefully. step-by-step (remember liang po po?). when they reached the pool bench, ah pek placed his bag onto the chair and stood there. ah mmm leaned the floats onto the chair and went into the changing rooms. i assumed they were there to watch their grandchildren take swimming lessons. but before i knew it, the ah mmm walked out of the toilet in a full body swimming suit. ah pek, seeing ah mmm changed, then took off his shirt. he then held ah mmm's hand, took the floats and they made their way to the pool. it was so loving! aiyoh! can die man! it was so heartwarming to see them help each other as they lower themselves into the pool using the pool steps. and it was so amazing to see them swim side by side - ah mmm swam breatstroke while ah pek swam freestyle. and after 2 laps, they took the floats and just floated in the water, enjoying the afternoon sun.
they both looked 70-plus, possibly 80s. it was so hard not to stare at them. yet i was conscious of the fact that they themselves were aware that i was looking. i was so envious of their loving gestures. no words were uttered throughout the whole time. yet, the care and concern they show one another (love, in another word) was so obvious! they must have been the envy of many many people!
i wish them long life, health and many more years of happy loving times with each other!
i really do!
:-)
they both walked with a slight hunch. slowly they entered the pool. very deliberately. very carefully. step-by-step (remember liang po po?). when they reached the pool bench, ah pek placed his bag onto the chair and stood there. ah mmm leaned the floats onto the chair and went into the changing rooms. i assumed they were there to watch their grandchildren take swimming lessons. but before i knew it, the ah mmm walked out of the toilet in a full body swimming suit. ah pek, seeing ah mmm changed, then took off his shirt. he then held ah mmm's hand, took the floats and they made their way to the pool. it was so loving! aiyoh! can die man! it was so heartwarming to see them help each other as they lower themselves into the pool using the pool steps. and it was so amazing to see them swim side by side - ah mmm swam breatstroke while ah pek swam freestyle. and after 2 laps, they took the floats and just floated in the water, enjoying the afternoon sun.
they both looked 70-plus, possibly 80s. it was so hard not to stare at them. yet i was conscious of the fact that they themselves were aware that i was looking. i was so envious of their loving gestures. no words were uttered throughout the whole time. yet, the care and concern they show one another (love, in another word) was so obvious! they must have been the envy of many many people!
i wish them long life, health and many more years of happy loving times with each other!
i really do!
:-)
My wife forwarded me a meaningful email just days before our wedding. I printed it out and kept the hard copy in my office bag, so that I will not forget about it after chucking it away.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to read it to her on our 25th Wedding Anniversary. Last year was our 10th Anniversary and I read it to her (Yes, I kept that hard copy for 10 years, moving it whenever I change bag).
Here's the contents of the email:
The question is asked, "Is there anything more beautiful in life thab a boy and a girl clasping clean hands and pure hearts in the path of marriage? Can there be anything more beautiful than young love?"
And the answer is given. "Yes, there is a more beautiful thing. It is the spectacle of an old man and an old woman finishing their journey together on that path. Their hands are gnarled, but still clasped; their face seamed, but still radiant; their hearts are physically bowed and tired, but still strong with love and devotion for one another. Yes, there is a more beautiful thing than young love. Old love."
**** End of email ****
Love like wine gets better with time. I hope to taste the old love of mine in time to come.
May everyone have that good fortune like the ah Pek and Ah Mmm
Sam
sweet! thanks for sharing! for me, hopefully, it is ah pek and ah pek... HAHAHAHAHA! but well, i guess we all get the point.
ReplyDelete:-)