Day 33 (Mon, 8th May 2006): Papa started work today. He said it kept him distracted for awhile. It also reminded him of the days gone by. He wistfully recalled how he used to phone mummy after work each day to tell her that he was ready to come home. Mummy would then drive all the way from home to pick him up. Mummy never complained. Always willing. Papa was always quietly grateful. There was always this unspoken love between them in the things they did for each other. This was the bedrock of their endearment. It also meant that they had many chances to go out for dinner, catch a movie or go shopping together. Papa says he pined for those intimate and cherished times. They grew as a couple. They were like the roots of a single tree entwining themselves in the lush fertile soil.

Papa knew that I felt lonely when he was at work, so he told me stories about mummy. He told me all about how gifted a musician mummy was. In sharp contrast to papa, mummy had perfect pitch. Papa said mummy used to complain whenever he sang in the car to the music on the radio. She would screech in agony and dismay. It got so bad, papa says he almost never sang infront of mummy. He was even afraid to sing in the shower if he knew she was around! Papa said that that was the price he had to pay for loving a consumate musician so much. But papa said it could also be fun when he wanted to tease or irritate her. He would warble and whistle with sounds that only his mother could love. And then run before she could hit the scream button. Otherwise, in his less zany moments, papa says he used to adore listening to mummy's melodies being caressed on the piano. Papa felt privileged & blessed. Although mummy's early training had been with the piano and violin, she had started to embrace singing over the last ten years. Papa said she sang as an alto most of the time. She participated in many choirs. She was choir mistress in St Ignatius Church for the longest time. Many people in church looked up to her for musical guidance. Her fondest times were spent with the Singapore Philharmonic Chorus. She made many lasting friendships there, and went on to win numerous international competitions with them. In typical adventurous fashion, papa says that mummy was once invited to join a Chinese Ladies Choir, the Bai He Ladies Choir, and was even asked to join them on a tour of China. Papa said that it typified her free spirited nature and joie de vivre. That was one of the things papa loved so much about her, and misses so sorely. Mummy dearest, continue to bless us with the songs of your heart and the melodies of your love for eternity. I love you very much.