A conversation with a grand dame this evening

she teared.

she took out her hankerchief and wiped the tears from her moist eyes.

she had told us that her husband passed away 1 and a half years ago.

I couldn't bear to look at her. The loss must have been immense. She still grieves.

My lovely wife and I were having dinner at ponggol nasi lemak stall at tg katong road. The long queue is sometimes hard to believe. You would think that the food would be delectable, and you can't help but join in the queue after driving past this stall for the past few times.

The food is not bad but ain't that good!

Halfway through our meal, a lady sat at the next table. She was using a walking stick. She's clearly old beyond her years, having lived a full and hard life. You could tell that, from the lines on her weather-beaten face.

When I glanced at her again, she was looking at me, and smiled at me. There was a twinkle in her eye.

She said to us," Why is there such a long queue?"

I explained to her that the folks were queuing for the nasi lemak, and she found it remarkable. It had been her first time at the nasi lemak stall.

That's where the conversation started flowing.

She was very open, as she shared bits & pieces of her life story, while her son queued up for the nasi lemak.

You could tell, her words are weighed with years of experience, as she shared her youth as a nursing officer for 38 years; bringin up her 2 children, supporting them faithfully to university education in the USA; her overseas trips over the years.

I was listening intently, punctuated by mouthfuls of rice and chicken. Somehow, I was drawn towards this lady. If I were under her care in the hospital, I knew I would be in good hands. She has this enduring quality about her, tempered by hardship and pure perseverance, she has such strength in her chararacter that is filled with care and love.

After a brief moment of silence, she said, "my husband passed away 1 and a half years ago."

I sympathised with her. It's hard to deal with the loss of a dear one. I have no idea how long she had been married but undoubtedly it would be decades.

How do you deal with it when you lose your life partner, best friend, soul mate?

There must be such a crushing grief. Time heals all hurt? I am not sure about that.

But there is something that would at least lift her heart. Her son arrived, with two plates of nasi lemak on the tray.

She smiled at me. It was time for us to depart. But before we left, we went up to her, smiled at her and said, "We had a lovely time talking with you. God bless you."

It has been a poignant experience. As we drove off, Siang and I shared our admiration and respect for her. We felt humbled.