A Rose's Tale
It is an ardent reminder that though life is no bed of roses, it carries on.
by: Kevin Tan & Jeremy Goh
This is a short tale about a proud mother of two and loving grandmother to four. It is an ardent reminder that though life is no bed of roses, it carries on.
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Madam Rose lived a simple life as a child. The 1950s was no easy time. The cheery child was raised by her grandmother, who struggled to make ends meet for the household. The tough financial situation meant that Madam Rose had to be independent from a young age.
Her grandmother cooked for a living. The growing Madam Rose would diligently assist at her grandmother’s stall, learning the ropes from the matriarch herself.
The young lady continued to hone her skills under the guidance of her grandmother, picking up treasured recipes and cooking techniques.
Talent clearly ran in the family; this marked the start of what was a successful career as a cook in a hotel.
For seven joyful years, her cooking was tasted by people from across the world. The now-mother of two lived with gusto, embracing her passion and talent while nurturing her children.
photo credit: West Australian
But then the rosy life crumbled, and what was to be a blooming career withered. An infection of gangrene meant she had to amputate her foot, and the once independent young lady could not ever again stand on her own two feet.
But Madam Rose would not let her family legacy wilt away. With her was the memories with her grandmother she held most dear, treasure troves of family recipes and cooking techniques spanning generations. She passed it on to her eldest son, who inherited her passion in cuisine and talent in the craft.
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And thus the student became the teacher, and what would have ended with her would carry on for generations to follow.
Madam Rose’s son currently has a career as a restaurant chef, living her dreams as his own.
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A genial lady in an aged wheelchair beams brightly. This 69-year old exuding an air of warm optimism is Madam Rose.
Madam Rose now lives quietly in Punggol. She expresses gratitude at the support of her community. She joyfully recounts visits from people like her constituency’s Member of Parliament (MP), who visits and spends time with her, and whom she really appreciates.
Her wishes right now are for success in the career of her sons and the academic successes of her grandchildren, and for Singapore to be ‘prosperous, safe and secure forever’.
This is the simple tale of a lady who was dealt with a bad hand, but took it with bold courage. But it is also a story of legacy. The people around us all have stories we can appreciate and enjoy, if we know to ask.
This article was written and compiled by our volunteer interviewers, Kevin and Yu Jia. As Caretalyst, we believe that there is much more to learn from our beneficiaries' viewpoints, and will continue to discover and share these stories.