AUG 6 — With the way time has flown by these past few years, it sometimes feels like we are caught in a vortex where everything is a blur.
This is no thanks to the endless flurry of news that sometimes leaves one quite giddy at the never-ending and relentless pace.
Thankfully though, some things remain unchanged.
Besides, of course, the sun rising and setting and traffic jams.
In my family’s case, it is the annual trip up north.
For a few days every year, we fall into a routine that has been practised for as long as I remember.
After the entire family is packed into the car (this year it was two due to the latest inclusion of mum’s wheelchair), it is a tradition to stop at Bidor for wan tan mee.
This is followed by buying titbits at the same shop.
Instead of pomelos, mum has switched to custard apples.
From there it is a non-stop journey to dad’s hometown, Taiping.
He doesn’t have any relatives there now and the hotel is the “family home” where we gather and it’s a few days of family time and bonding.
Then it’s down to Cameron Highlands.
What I love about these trips is how some things don’t change.
The micro arguments about what to have for meals or where to go.
The warning of “can stop showing face or not?” which is normally followed by a sigh from either parent.
Or, “Ah, after eating only make noise” on the drive back.
There is of course the cendol from Bismillah, the unique fried kuey teow with fish balls and char siew at the Casual Market and strolling at the beautiful Lake Gardens.
This year, though, it was a visit to the Spritzer EcoPark.
These trips also have mum and dad enthralling us with stories of days gone by.
The stories are not news flashes. They are tales we have heard before.
But nothing beats hearing them all over again.
It can range from making fun of us as children or my perennial favourite of how my second sister used to rush back from school so she could take care of me.
And of course, somewhere in that memory, the story of how she dropped me on a table when I was a baby and duly ran around the house because she was afraid.
Explains why I’m slightly nuts, I tell her. Perfect excuse and it’s all your fault.
Another would be how many baby plates and bowls I broke because I was in a rage at not being fed in time.
The description would be, “Aud, your face would turn red before you took the bowl and threw it.”
Yes, nothing beats being reminded that feeding time remains very important for this writer.
Colleagues and friends can testify this remains true to this day.
Albeit minus throwing of cutlery, bowls and plates, just some growling and baleful glares.
This year, however, what struck me was how some things have changed despite the routine remaining the same.
One was that the ones behind the wheel were my sister and I, although dad did take over after Bidor on the drive up.
Another was how relaxed we were in terms of finances.
Our family has always been cautious when spending money. That’s the way it has been.
Providing for three children even way back then was not an easy task. Being frugal was imperative.
In the past few years, we have been comfortable. This is not to say we splurge.
It is just comforting that no one has to worry much whether the family holiday is going to cause a dent in next month’s finances.
What had me take stock after this year’s holiday was to be thankful for all the good things in life despite the minor irritations.
A crazy family that keeps me sane.
Great friends.
A job.
A smartphone that works.
A car that only occasionally throws tantrums.
And somehow, a sense of humour that has yet to abandon me.
Yup, after adding up the tiny positives, life isn’t so bad after all.
Perhaps that can be the daily mantra for us to get through the day.
In a time where things are so uncertain and seemingly bleak.
Tiny positives could at the very least bring a smile and have us live another day.
* Audrey is news editor at Malay Mail. She can be reached at [email protected]
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail Online.
