Bonding Time in Singapore

A friend commented after seeing our photo posted in Istagram with our two granddaughters in Singapore - "Happy bonding time!".

Indeed, we had a great time bonding with these two granddaughters whom we last saw in March 2024 when they came to KK to spend a short holiday (Read here). For the first time, we stayed and spent 3N4D with them in their house.

Their feeling of this particular bonding time is summed up in the message we received from their mom after we came back to KK. The short message is both heart warming and causes wetness in our eyes: "Livvie and Maddie said the pillows in their bedroom smell like gong gong (closer to the door) and po po (closer to the wall) which is so wonderful because they can always smell them and dream that gg and pp are still sleeping in bed with them". 

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With our children now grown-up, we are also emptying the stockpile of old toys once loved by our children. In this recent trip, we brought along the lego toys to the home of Livvie and Maddie. 

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Christmas 2024 is just round the corner. We helped preparing for the decoration for this annual happy occasion.

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We had an update on the skill of Livvie in her cello lessons.

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An afternoon at the nearby playground.

Maddie met her classmate, Noah.

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Livvie is growing up fast. Our trip to a local shopping complex and back was led all the way by Livvie - from the house to the nearest bus stop, taking the correct bus, stopping at the destination bus stop and then walking to their favourite eating outlet at the shopping mall - Genki Sushi.

It turned out that the waiting time to be seated was rather long. It was first indicated as 15 minutes and 10 minutes later, it was changed to 30 minutes. We proposed to Livvie to change to another eating place. She responded, "We love the place, it's worth the wait!".

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We too had meal time with their dad Sam, Uncle Paul and Auntie Junshi.

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Just before we ended our time with them, Livvie and Maddie insisted to draw pictures for us as the parting gift.

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I recall the time we spent with Nathan and Grace when they were of similar age of Livvie and Maddie nine years ago in November 2015 (Read here). Not all were given the privilege to be grandparents and to enjoy the special bond between grandparents and grandchildren. For this, we count ourselves blessed!

In the tapestry of life's gentle weave,

Grandparents and grandchildren never grieve.

For bound by threads of love so pure,

Their bond is one that will endure.

A grandchild's laughter, light and free,

Is music to hearts as old as the sea.

And a grandparent's wisdom, calm and deep,

Is a treasure the young will always keep.

Hand in hand through gardens they roam,

Finding in each other a second home.

With every hug, a world they mend,

A timeless love that knows no end.

Through whispered stories, lessons take flight,

Guiding young hearts in the darkest night.

While tiny hands cling with such might,

To aged ones worn but full of light.

Oh, what magic this bond does hold,

Bridging the gap between young and old.

A circle of love, complete and true,

Grandparents and grandchildren, me and you.

(Author - Unknown)