Give me the strength that I need

Yesterday as I was making my may to the bus stop near my house, I met a makcik (aunty) who happened to stay in the same block of flats as mine. She’s not that young - 60-0dd I guess - but I prefer to call her makcik rather than nenek (grandmother). I’m happy to see her all cheery despite her wrinkles and ageing body . But then again, I’ve never seen her down.

We chatted a bit along the way before I said that I had to make a move. A few steps later, I turned around and…saw her still inching her way along the pavement, holding on to the handrails. (Haha, was there a sense of ghost story ? :D) But yes she was literally inching bit by bit unlike the young and energetic me who compared to her, can be said as taking long strides.

It then made me think of the difficulties that she might face in that walk alone. She said she’s gonna go to the wet market to get some house necessities and for the record, the nearest one is at least a few hundred metres away.

Given her pace, she’s gonna take quite some time before she finally reach the wet market. What about when she’s at the traffic lights? I don’t think she even cares about the countdown timer that starts off at 24 seconds. She will still have to inch her way to the other side of the road. I think if I were to do the same errand that she’s running, I would be back home already and she might have just reached the wet market.

She could have just stayed at home and not go through so much pain and trouble. But no. She knew that no matter how long she may take or how many times she had to inch, she still had to get those house necessities. She had the perseverance, patience, grit… I just smiled wryly to myself, happy to know such a strong character.

It then made me think about the problems and obstacles that I’m going through now. Given my (un)fit and able body, mind and soul, I have no excuse to be drowned by my difficulties. ’cause that very same makcik has just shown me that your strength is determined by your own willingness.

Often we look up to award winners and successful people for the motivation to achieve something great. But sometimes I feel that it’s these simple, common people that possess the much needed qualities that we often need and overlook in ourselves.

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