At a coffee joint

Today I went to a morning service and am now at a coffee joint - Gloria Jean's at Changi Airport.

As I am doing my lesson plans for next week, memories of my times at Starbucks Tan Tock Seng Hospital started flooding back.

I was at TTSH-Starbucks on the day Ah Chor was admitted.
I was at TTSH-Starbucks on the day Ah Chor departed.

27th Feburary, Saturday 2010.
After a very hectic week at the start of my teaching practicum and night classes everyday at YWAM, I finally caught my breath, visited my greatgrandmother with the intention of bringing her to the doctor to get a referral to a nursing home.

She was staying alone. I rang the bell and she opened the door. I am thankful. She walked and opened the door. She took a few bites of breakfast we bought her and we took her to Ang Mo Kio Polyclinic. Her blood pressure was very low and the doctor advised us to bring her to TTSH A & E immediately. The transfer from the wheelchair to the taxi were the last steps of her life.

That day, I waited for almost 5 hours in TTSH-Starbucks while she waited for a bed for admission in the ward. While she was resting in the waiting area, she said, "I am happy now. I dont mind dying here."
She hated the hospital and was resistant towards admission.
This time, she was too weak to resist. She was in comfort.

That marks the start of a long journey.

8th April, Thursday 2010.
Ironically, I was at TTSH Starbucks on the day she departed.
I took leave that day and was with her in the ward. I felt really sleepy in the humid weather and decided to perk myself up with a cup of coffee in the airconditioned Starbucks, while trying to do my lesson plans and resources for my lessons. I left around 3.30pm.
My mum visited at 4 plus. I was really tired and couldnt resist the idea of hitching a ride home in my dad's car. Afterall, my aunt will be arriving soon. I went up to say goodbye to greatgrandma and took some disposable cutlery back. That was the last time I spoke to her.

I blame myself for succumbing to tiredness.
I could have spend more time with her.

That night, she breathed her last.

I was at TTSH-Starbucks on the day she was admitted to Heaven.