The world of Tzu Chi June 2020 (Vol.123)

TZU CHI 123 43 dark spots on her wrinkled skin bore silent witness to her full, long life. She had lived through World War II and the rigours of raising her children alone after her husband’s demise, memories of which remained deeply etched in her mind. “I’m turning 100 this year! I’m fond of my son. I’ve never scolded him before, have I? Try asking him,” quipped Mrs Chew. The truth was, Mrs Chew no longer remembered her real age. Wai Tooh and the volunteers caring for her were already accustomed to her random murmurings. When volunteers Liew Bee Tin, Tan Choi Heng and Ching Siew Lian visited Wai Tooh at his home in October 2019, the trio bent down to greet Mrs Chew, who was sitting at the corridor with her eyes closed, immersed in her own world as she rambled on about perceived happenings in her life. Despite her poor eyesight, she was able to recognize Bee Tin from her voice alone. Every time the volunteers came to visit, she repeated these same lines without fail: “Ah Tooh is my youngest son. He’s already 50 this year! The Japanese troops have invaded our home. It’s on the brink of collapsing…” Yet, Bee Tin remained patient as ever, consoling Mrs Chew as she held her hand, “Indeed. Ah Tooh loves you dearly, so you must be kind to him. The Japanese troops are not attacking us anymore; it’s in the past. You’re fortunate to be granted a comfortable life. Cherish it with a pure heart and remember to chant the Buddha’s name often!” The faithful son Wai Tooh is affectionately known as “Ah Tooh” by his mother, the volunteers and fellow inhabitants of the flat. He is the youngest child in the family after an older sister and two older brothers, all of whom have left home to start their own families, leaving their mother in his care. Following the demise of Wai Tooh’s father from tuberculosis when he was 12, Mrs Chew single-handedly raised her four children and supported the family’s livelihood by working odd jobs such as washing dishes and assisting in kitchens, toiling hard for most of her life. Several years ago, Mrs Chew began exhibiting signs of mental disorientation and complained of ghostly sightings in the house. She became fearful of staying indoors and frequently wandered outdoors. Furthermore, she was constantly worried about Japanese troops destroying her home, possibly due to the lingering trauma of having experienced the war. Wai Tooh also had to tolerate the occasional insult she unwittingly hurled at him. “She always ventured outside and refused to come home despite my repeated pleas. She even reprimanded me sometimes. Her memory was declining as she advanced in age. She behaved like a child. In hindsight, when we were small, she cared for us unconditionally, yet we misbehaved and angered her,” recounted Wai Tooh. He had come to terms with his mother’s deteriorating health and responded to his mother’s beck and call as if tending to a child. Mrs Chew’s favourite loitering spot was a nearby shopping mall. She even stayed there overnight and made herself at home. Wai Tooh brought her dinner after work and kept her company throughout the night. In the morning, he bought her breakfast before leaving for work to prevent her from starving. “Mum slept on a bench, while I slept on the floor. It’s uncomfortable, but she’s unwilling to go home, so I had to keep watch over her,” Wai Tooh revealed, laughing. Mrs Chew was even