Kasut Manik

Big-Ee (Eldest Aunt) has renal kidney failure - One kidney has failed while the other is shrinking and malfunctioning at an exponential rate.

Despite being in a chronic condition, Big-Ee has insisted on ploughing to Malacca. Naturally, it was met with rejection.

When pressed to justify her somewhat whimsical request, Big-Ee's replies released a torrent of tears.

"I want to send Mother's kasut manik to tapak for Michelle."
(I want to send Mother's beaded slippers to be mended for Michelle.)
Mother was a reference to my deceased maternal grandmother who had passed away in 2001.

Some of the precious items which had been left to Mich was that of a few pairs of antique Peranakan beaded slippers. Due to wear and tear since the 1930s, a slipper or two had some cracks embedded in the heels.

Malacca is the only place where the dying art of beading Peranakan slippers still exists, albeit at an exhorbitant price. An authentic Peranakan sarong kebaya with full embroidery can easily set you back by $1000 these days. ( Mich scoffs at the mass-produced cheap fakes, sold in departmental stores and boutiques, that are an insult to our Peranakan heritage.)

On a wheelchair, with two heart bypasses, renal kidney failure and a postponed heart operation to insert a pacemaker, Mich was still on Big-Ee's mind.

Dear God, please don't take Big-Ee away.