The life of Agasta Nunis, beloved grandmother!

It was a usual morning. Well, quite usual until I heard my dad's car leaving the house much earlier than usual. I didn't think anything of it. It was my first day at a new part time job so I thought I had a few more minutes to just catch up on some sleep.

Then my brother came to knock on my door and he said the words I thought I would not hear for quite a while more. Grandma has passed away. Even writing this right now is putting my emotions in top gear. I couldn't believe what he said. I called my aunt and then when I said the words tears begin and I just couldn't hold it. 

It was Saturday, January 5, 2013.

She was having some difficulties lately but I was still thinking that she is strong, she always has been strong she will pull through this. It was just the week before that we celebrated New Year's day and she was enjoying some KFC mashed potato - her favourite. 

Grandma was always a rock for all of us. She had a tough life too but she never showed nor complained and lamented about her tough life. I still miss her till this day, walking into her house and her not being there. Maybe this is why its taken me this long to write this post about her. I tried doing it earlier in the week that she had passed on and again about a few months back. But just couldn't bring myself to write it.

Grandma as all her grandkids know her was the sixth out of seven children. Her dad was a long haul lorry driver and her mom a housewife. Her dad passed away when grandma was only 12. It was a work accident. My grandfather came from India and was working in Melaka when he chanced upon my grandma. She was 15 and he was 25 when they got married.

On their wedding day

My handsome grandfather, Mr Simon K.

It was a love marriage and they really were a happy couple. Though times were hard, they brought up 13 children that remain to this day a tight close knit family. It was 3 girls and 10 boys, a large family that was quite common then.

I believe this was the 1st family picture.

Both grandparents were quite strict with their kids and although I only knew my grandfather for 7 years, he was the fun one. He loved us, his grandchildren, at the time he was alive, there were 5 of us. Now its 25 grandkids.

A family photo of my grandparents with all their kids on
my eldest uncle's wedding day. This is priceless.

Grandma was the no nonsense type. I remember spending my days in her house during the school holidays. She and grandpa would be in the kitchen together cooking our lunch and at the same time making sure we were not up to mischief. It was just us 5 grand kids then and they doted on us.

Grandma lost her husband (my grandfather) 26 years before, and then a son in 2001. When my mother passed away about 8 years ago, she was there and was very sad. She doesn't say much about feelings but she knew what us - her grandkids were feeling and showed in her own way. It's hard to describe it, but it was most certainly felt.

We had a lot of good times. She was the happiest on all the wedding days, coming from a large family, there were many wedding days. Also, during Christmas and New Year's day, it was a must to be at her house. The warmth holiday feeling is always felt in her house. We also made a big deal of celebrating her 75th and 80th birthday on a grand scale. She was really the 'belle' at these events.

Grandma's 80th birthday celebration

At her eldest grandson's wedding.

Grandma you have fought a tough life and still found many happy moments. You have created a wonderful family and we thank you for all you have done for each of us. We still miss you and was glad to have celebrated one last Christmas and New Year's day with us. I know you held on to give us that.

Madam Agasta Nunis

May you have eternal rest in the Lord's house!