The following story was extracted from the book "i remember to my Grandpa/Grandma from all of us". The feelings you evoke contributed by Rozita Binti Anwar, 34. Dear Grandpa, you will always be remembered as someone dear to me even though you have been gone for almost 15 years now. I will always remember the kind man with the serene face who would always not forget to give us grandchildren ‘angpow’ money every time we came to visit your house at Pasir Panjang for our yearly Hari Raya visit. The trip was always a fun one. There were some years in which my cousins and I, along with our families would bundle into the back of a lorry so that we could go visiting for Hari Raya to your house. What joy! What fun for us kids! Fast-forward to 1993 and I entered NUS for my Arts and Social Science degree. The yearly Hari Raya visiting continued, yet, in the midst of busily growing up and being on the brink of adulthood, I suppose there was just “no” time to visit and see you. Despite this, my one hope was to be able to graduate in a few years time and take my graduation photo with you in the picture. I believed you would have been very proud of me, my Father being the son you brought up as your own even though you were his stepfather in name and me, his oldest child who was able to achieve academically in spite of living modestly, with only my Father’s income to support the family. Alas, it was not to be! I felt like I was in a ‘dreamy haze’ when I got the phone call about your death while I was attending one of my orientation lectures. It was just so unexpected but I got through the day and much, much later, suddenly realised that you would not be there when I complete my studies. That was one of my deepest regrets, not having you around to celebrate my achievement. Years later, having since earned my Masters and gotten married, I am now a ‘grandmother’ of sorts myself, spending quite a lot of time with my husband’s grandniece who lives a few blocks away from my new flat. We love her a lot and I must say, pamper her very much but I think we are allowed that, as grandparental love will never be the same as parental guidance and loving. I am very glad to be able to have this chance to spend time with her, considering that I didn’t do much of that when you were alive. You will always be in my prayers and visiting your grave will no longer be a ‘once in a while’ affair. There is no excuse not to, as I am living nearer to your resting place now. I am sure you are with those blessed by God in the next life and I promise to always strive to be the person you were, a kind man with a big heart and an always serene disposition. I love you. Your granddaughter, Rozita Binti Anwar. (This story was contributed as part of the 'To My Grandpa/Grandma' project initiated by NLB & the Advisory Panel for Seniors. This project is an inter-generation initiative targeted at grandparents and grandchildren. It aims to encourage the sharing of personal experiences, and to use personal stories, narratives and shared heritage to connect the different generations.) Title devised by Library staff.