My Courageous Friend

my courageous friend (support grp p4)

[13 Nov 2006, 05:43:47 PM]

Estella dropped by on Saturday. It was because her student (who lives in my block) was not home and she had already torn a carpark coupon. Ah, sweet Estella. Our friendship went all the way back to secondary school; we were sec 2 classmates. We got closer during the last few years. If you think I am brave, you should see her.


I am very thankful our paths crossed eight years ago. She is one tough lady and one whom I admire alot too. Before I was sick, we used to go for movies together, especially during the holidays. Infact before I discovered my illness, we went for a movie together. She sent me an sms to say that we should book our tickets through the internet for our next movie. Imagine her shock when I replied her that I wouldn't be able to watch movies for some time to come and that I have cancer. She visited me many times when I was home recuperating after an operation and during my first chemotherapy. She prayed with and for me, passed me lotsa leftlets about healing and healthy living, brought me to her cell group and got them to pray for me. She bought me the book "A Purpose Driven Life". I was the one who nudged her on taking up BSF classes. And she in turn, nudged Amy.


I believe God made our paths cross. She has been a great encouragement to me. She treats me as if, how should I put it, I am normal. She shares with me her problems, just like before. She asks me for opinions on certain matters we both face or even those which you would only share with close friends. I am grateful she values my comments and viewpoints. Despite what she is going through, she makes time for me (as well as another friend, Amy), to ask about my progress. And she is always so cheerful, embracing life with so much vigour.


Whenever I think of her, it warms my heart to have such a great friend. One who looks beyond her own problems and yet makes time for others who are in need. One who still believes strongly in living well and happy, not looking at her own circumstances. One who encourages others who are disheartened. One whose strength and cheerfulness I will remember fondly with admiration.

Breakfast Kakees

breakfast kakees (support grps part 3)

[1 Nov 2006, 05:38:30 PM]

(updated on 5 Nov 7.08pm)

It is said, a close-by neighbour is better than a distant cousin. How true. My breakfast "kakees" are actually my neighbours who are also my friends, except Ivy who doesn't live in this block. Jen has always been looked upon as the "big sister". She is the one who knows almost everyone in this block and connects all of us. In the past we used to have block parties at the void deck, potluck style. However, the big group had dwindled to just the four of us.


When I was first diagnosed with cancer, it took me a while before telling them. Janet came to know about it through musketeer sheep. When Jen heard about it, she couldn't sleep that night, wondering why it had to happen to me. Someone who has always been careful of her diet and one who believes in natural remedies. Jen, Liz, Grace and Ser had always gone for breakfast together, even before I was ill. During the the first chemotherapy I had, they were always dropping by before and after my treatments to cheer me on. Not forgetting the food they bought or brought or cooked. Jen has been most helpful with cooking and marketing. Even today, she teaches the helper how to cook some basic dishes. Her helpfulness extends to the other neighbours as well. What touched me most was the time she cut her hair as short as mine when I went out with them without my wig. It was funny when people thought we were sisters.


Ser is the one who drives us around every week for our breakfast outings. Even if it is only the two of us, she still brings me out, having breakfast together. Liz is the cheerful one. Janet who doesn't join us for breakfast would always pop by to chat. She is one of my emotional garbage bins. Our weekly breakfast outing has become part of my routine and life these days. How did I get myself into this group? I asked them. Last year, before my relapse. It is amazing how we have become so close.


We are not of the same faith, but it doesn't matter. Ser and Jen's significant other would send me to BSF classes when "Shuai Ge" couldn't do so. Even if it meant going out in the rain. The neighbourliness in this block reminds me of "kampong" days where everyone helped and looked out for each other. I used to ask God why He didn't let me stay in some private landed property. Now I know the reason.

Edited:
I should add that sharing of food with friendly neighours have helped to widen each other's tastes and acceptance of new flavours. Musketeers should not take for granted their current wide food range. Jen is the "kueh" and "noodles/beehoon/hor fun/rice" expert. Ser is a vegetarian but she makes nice sushis, mee siam and vegetarian food. Liz cooks delicious Hainanese chicken rice, "chop suey" and a mean cabbage with long bean rice (one of my favaourites). Janet used to share with us auntie's curry chicken, curry yong tau hoo and dark sauce meat. And me? The daring one who tries and experiments the "ang moh" recipes. The musketeers indeed are the blessed ones. You could say these breakfast "kakees" along with some others help shape their tastebuds.

If the thoughts seem incoherent, blame it on the super swollen tongue with several big ulcers and pain.