Dear Josh,
We are all in the midst of different travel plans. There is a part of me that’s excited. And there’s the other part that is devastated that you’re not here, and also questioning how we are moving on with our lives. It all seems so wrong.
Ammamma and Patta left for Sydney a couple of nights ago. It is their first trip there since you passed.
If you were here, you would have definitely accompanied us to the airport. You would have effortlessly loaded the suitcases in the car. You would have come with me to park the car. You would have walked (relatively) patiently with Patta. You would have stood by my side as I checked them in and waited for the wheelchair assistance. And you would have accompanied me on the drive home.
Blessings come in different ways though.
Jess called both of them and scared them about having a clot in their lungs. So both succumbed to the new Doctor in the family to wear TED stockings.
Tun took care of all the packing including their numerous medications. She loaded the suitcases in the car, and struggled, but managed to put on their TED stockings.
Aunty J was with us the whole day, taking care of some logistics and doing some last minute shopping (for me!) with Ammamma.
Most of all, I was so touched to hear that Shalini’s Mum asked her to accompany me to the airport so I would not have to drive home alone. You would be so happy to hear this.
While Ammamma, Tun and I walked ahead, Shalini patiently walked with Patta. At one point, I turned around and realised both of them had stalled. There was then a call from Patta’s phone to me, with Shalini asking me if we had gone to the right counter. As I watched them walk (very slowly) towards us, I was reminded so much of how you were the one who had the most patience to walk with Patta.
Shalini and Tun stood by me as I checked them in. They waited with me for wheelchair assistance. They walked with me to the immigration area and waved goodbye.
After we sent them off, we went to the cake shop and got ourselves some pandan chiffon cake for a light dessert. I was reminded of how you went with me to get ice-cream after Jess left for London for the first time.
I was telling Shalini that the airport was a place you would frequently agree to tag along with me, even on the days you were not doing so well. Thank you for giving me the accompaniment through these other angels.
Love Mum
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