The world of Tzu Chi September-October 2021 (Vol.137)

TZU CHI 137 35 J anuary 3, 2021, it was drizzling. Seated on a folding chair, 77-year-old Granny Lim was watching Tzu Chi volunteers busily wrapping furniture such as refrigerator and cabinets with plastic wrap, and packing daily necessities in bags or boxes before loading them onto the lorry. When Granny Lim saw the volunteers moving the TV set, she anxiously reminded them to be careful, otherwise, she would have to miss the Da Ai TV programmes, which she so loves and watches daily. With a heavy heart she expressed, “I feel so reluctant to leave this house. I have been staying here for more than a decade and I have grown accustomed to everything here…” Volunteer Lim Chu Mooi quickly comforted her that she would be happy to bring her back whenever she wants lest she decided not to relocate at the eleventh hour. Then, Granny Lim raised her bandaged left leg and told volunteer Yong Mee Moy of her pain. When asked whether she had cleansed the wound, she nodded with a frown. Mee Moy then caringly reminded her to ensure that the wound is cleansed and dressing changed daily to avoid reinfection, making healing even more difficult. “Granny, our Tzu Chi sisters care very much for you. Do you recall those days, how you were always so harsh towards us whenever we visited you?” Mee Moy said smilingly, trying to divert Granny Lim’s attention from the physical pain. “Well, that was because I loved you all. Isn’t scolding an expression of love?” Granny Lim replied wittily. Naggy and grumpy In 2011, Granny Lim’s case was referred to Tzu Chi KL & Selangor by the hospital’s welfare department. At that time, she needed financial assistance to undergo a cataract surgery. Mee Moy and a few other volunteers initiated home visits to Granny Lim. The latter, who lived alone, would nag, throw temper using harsh words, and at times scold the volunteers. She was not appreciative of the care given by the volunteers. In fact, the volunteers were afraid of her, and one of them even broke down after being scolded by her. However, these did not deter them from visiting her monthly to provide care and financial assistance. Mee Moy remembers vividly an incident on how she and the other volunteers were scared to death, when they were helping Granny Lim to clean and tidy up her messy home. “We were cleaning the bedroom when we spotted a hole in the wall near the bed. Suddenly, rats of all sizes dashed out from the hole and ran everywhere, leaving us screaming and jumping…” Another time, Granny Lim complained to the volunteers about having sleepless nights, due to strange noises coming from upstairs. Water was dripping from the ceiling and her mattress became wet. The volunteers decided to put up a night at her house just to check out what went wrong. It turned out that they did not hear any noise although Granny Lim insisted that she heard it. Consequently, the volunteers requested a doctor from Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA) to make a house call, and the diagnosis was that Granny Lim