Birth of a Boy : 20th August 1963

My mother was very excited about having her baby, and was hoping that she would give birth on the 31st August 1963.

As a mother and a very frugal Foochow woman, she was looking forward to receiving a gift of 20 tins of Dumex (large tines) from the Council if she would give birth on Malaysia Day. Many expectant mothers who were to give birth towards the end of August 1963 were all very excited about the special Mederka Day gifts. Every midwife in Sibu was alert and ready to report births for that day . They were on a 24 hour alert and Borneo Company had wrapped up the gifts of 20 tins of Dumex, on standby.

But my baby brother was too eager to see the world may be. And to her disappointment, she gave birth on the 2oth. But to the happiness of every one in the family, it was a baby boy!!

To comfort her, every relative who came by said that having a baby boy was worth more than 20 tins of Dumex (Large).

This time my father did not light any fire crackers. My first brother had only half a pack of fire crackers to announce his birth in Pulau Kerto.

And the confinement lady, (Sixth Aunt) was ever ready to cook chickens and Foochow noodles for every one who came by, with or without gifts for the new baby. My maternal grandmother hovered around and bought more than 100 eggs to welcome him. Each egg was hardboiled and coloured red. It was her task to do the hardboiled red eggs to the delight of every guest!!

The red colouring was supposed to be saffron but she knew she could get the imitation red colouring from the sin seh (Poh Nguong).

My father, then already 56 years old was a very kind man who, though quiet, was helpful in the house, although he did not cook. He made sure that my mother had a good cup of hot Kopi O early in the morning to help her get through the day.

My mother, being very frugal, preferred only to have eggs and chicken soup. She had given instruction to Sixth Aunt to make sure that the pieces of chicken must be big and reserved for the relatives who came by and for the family. She never over ate and she remained slim throughout her confinement. 

Both my parents had done away with the Foochow traditions of Serng Ang. Just come and visit. No need to brig a gift and Sixth Aunt was really a good confinement lady because she could entertain any one who visited us. By then we were living at Brooke Drive and there were many rooms in the house for relatives to stay for a night or two.

Every one was welcome to share the joy.

My parents' cup runneth over.