My 88-Year-Old Grandma Refused To Give Up And Sacrificed To Give Us What We Have Today

This Spotlight is sponsored by Proviton Daily Multivitamins. Cover image for illustration purposes only.

My grandma didn't always have it easy growing up. She wasn't from a well-to-do family, so she never got to go to school, but had to help take care of her siblings at home. Even at a young age, she struggled with respiratory problems, so she could never go outside and be too active.

Nevertheless, she learnt how to read and write on her own at home. She also picked up various skills at home like making authentic Nyonya kuih, paos, and other special dishes from scratch.

My grandfather passed away because of heart attack at quite a young age, and left the family with a huge amount of debt. So throughout the years my dad was growing up, my grandma would wake up at 5am every day to start making kuih and food to sell. My dad and his siblings would also have to help to deliver the kuih and food on the way to school.

In the afternoons and evenings, my grandma would go to neighbour's homes to help clean and babysit. At one point, she even became a confinement lady to earn enough money to clear the debts.

While they didn't have a lot, my grandma made sure the family stuck together through it all. She managed to send my dad and his siblings to university, and all of them turned out to have great careers and families.

My grandma kept making kuih up until she was 72 years old, but she had a major fall one day and hurt her hip. That's why her movement is slower these days and she needs to walk with a tongkat nowadays.

However, despite these challenges, she continues to be strong and positive. What I love most about my grandmother is how she brings the whole family together - she's the glue to our family. Even up until today, it's become a tradition to have lunch at grandma's house every Saturday. Thanks to her sacrifice, our family is as strong as ever and gets to enjoy what we have today.

I'm sure that each of us has had at least one special woman who touched our lives. It could be our mum, grandma, teacher in school, or even mentor in the workplace. We wouldn't be who we are today if not for them. I know I wouldn't have such a love for food and cooking if it weren't for my ah ma! ;P

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Proviton Daily Multivitamins is manufactured by Duopharma Biotech Pharmaceuticals, one of the largest pharmaceutical manufacturers in Malaysia, and is halal certified by JAKIM.



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