Contributed by: Li Shuo, (P6R) Rulang Primary School MY GRANDPARENTS My first memories of my grandparents are how age has left a deep mark on them; their snow white hair a constant reminder of the difficult years they have lived through. However, age has definitely not impeded their expression of love and concern for us. Whenever we visited their home, they always seemed to have an endless supply of candy, pops, cookies, and not to mention love. In my vague memories of early childhood, I could distinctively recall my eagerness towards these visits because of the attention I would receive. My grandparents brought me up from infancy, and left to return to their native homeland when I was about ten years old. Every year during the June holidays, I would travel to China, Shanxi, with my family to visit my grandparents. We would always take the time to sit down and chat with one another. It was during these visits that I heard some of the most fascinating stories about the way things used to be, the tough and enduring lives that they have led for the past years. I remember thinking how times have changed and how difficult it must have been for my grandparents to grow up. Grandpa, whom we called “Lao Ye” in Chinese, even at his age, showed me that one is never too old to learn or try something new. My grandmother has always inspired me with her passion for learning and trying new things. To her, the world is an open book, and there is always something new and exciting to learn. Their constant love and support is a major motivation in my life. They always believe in me, even when sometimes I don’t believe in myself. Their faith in me gives me the confidence to go after my goals. I am closer to my maternal grandparents as they often visit us in Singapore during our December Holidays. Both my grandparents are eighty-nine years old this year and I am sure that they will live till a ripe age. I hope that I would find more opportunities to get in contact with them and learn more about how they led their lives since young. I will indeed inculcate lots of moral values from them and grow up to be a more useful person in the competitive society. Grandpa and grandma, I adore both of you very much! (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.)