Dear Auntie T,

It’s been 7 or 8 years since I last saw you. I don’t remember exactly how long it’s been. All I know is that it’s been quite sometime. I wish I could tell you all that I’ve done since I last saw you. I wish I could tell you about the places I’ve seen, the people I’ve talked to and the things I’ve learned outside of my books. I knew you always had high hopes for me. I always felt that you were always encouraging me to go further. Thank you so much.

I remember the first time K invited me over to your house. I was greeted with warmth, love and care. You treated us kids like we were one of your own.

Right from the first meeting, we felt welcomed. We felt as if we were part of your family. It was shocking but in a good way. I felt as if I’ve been granted another home. During that time, I always had an up and down relationship with my family at home so it was refreshing to be escape it. To almost vanish into another home.

I always felt so loved by you. You always praised me for my writing, reading and explanations of whatever we were studying in school. Even though I was just a silly teenager, you listened to me with attention and care. I’ll always appreciate that.

I wish we could meet again. I’d love to make you a cup of a coffee or a cup of tea or whatever you fancy. I really wish I could have a conversation with you again. I don’t care about what. I wish I could just say hi. I just wish I could be heard attentively by an adult again.

The memory of you always resurfaces whenever the subject of secondary school is brought up. You were an integral part of my secondary school life. I remember vividly,the other J and I borrowed two of your bicycles and without a care we cycled back to J’s house.

To most people, it might not have been a big deal but when we returned the bicycles you lectured us as if we were your own kids. You told us we were being silly. It was so dangerous to cross the busy streets like that. All we had to do was just ask you to drive us back. It was really that simple.

The point is, I still remember the love and care you had for us kids. I think I’ll never forget it.

The memory of you lying there in that shiny wooden box used to haunt me. A shadow of who you were. That dreaded disease turned you into a shell of what you used to be. In some sense, you turned into a ghost when I think of you like that.

Auntie, I am happy to tell you it’s mostly happy memories of you now. Although, I can never have that conversation with you again, you’re always with me in my memories. In my heart.

Wherever you are, I hope I can meet you again someday. I miss those times.

Love,

J.