Five generations
My brothers and I are products of inter-cultural love stories that have spanned several generations. While our identity cards insist that we are Indians, the reality is that our blood runs thick with a multitude of Malayan colours. My mother’s forefathers sought their fortune in this land a long time ago, before the flash of immigration in the last century, while my father’s roots, two generations before his, were set in India.
My brothers and I are a product of an inter-cultural love story in the nineteen sixties. He was a patient in a hospital in Perak, and she, the nurse. They fell in love despite the protests of their respective families, but over the decades eventually won the hearts of their future families. They will attest that it was not easy to overcome the racial bias that existed then, but they will also tell you that they succeeded in overcoming it by being true to themselves and by demonstrating unconditional love.
I will believe this and I will live this.
Happy Independence Day, Malaysia.
taylor swift’s ‘love story’ was playing in my head while i read this! when i reached the part of about them falling in love, i visualized, ‘he knelt to the ground and pulled out a ring’ 😀
Sean: Not keroncong? Luckily you’re not the director of this love story!
Oh man. After reading Sean’s comments, now that Taylor Swift song is stuck in my head! 🙂
What a sweet story, LL. Love against all odds…
(Awwwww…..)
J: Yeah, a love story from the olden days, hor. 😀
Happy merdeka! We are a product of interracial BFF-relationship. 🙂
aiyoo. so sweet la. meet in hospital lagi.
if i get to direct a Malaysian love story, it will go
… I was in the kitchen, tumbuking sambal belachan when I saw her long beautiful petai hair. I reach out to her and it was love at first sight. The cincalok family protest ….
And we shall join you: We will believe this and we will live this.
Happy Merdeka Meena … you of all people, should really know the true meaning of racial integrity and 1Malaysia. 🙂
I still crave for those childhood moments of mixing around with friends from all backgrounds. We never even thought of each other’s race, sex, social background, etc.
Everyone was equal, everyone was a bully, and everyone got bullied all the same.
A Lil Fat Monkey: So cute, and so right! 😀 Happy merdeka!
chaokar: Just as well you’re not directing. hahaha. can imagine it to be one smelly episode!
LFB: Amen brother!
J2Kfm: Happy merdeka! 🙂 Like you, I remember my school days when we didn’t even know that we were expected to be different. All we did was play a lot, laugh a lot, slog a lot…together.
Really touching, the story itself as well as how you wrote it…been following your blog for quite some time already, you are a wonderful narrator, keep it up! Cheers.
Lovely story! Carry on believing and carry on Living it. That’s the only way!!! I too believe and will teach my kids the same lessons. Happy Belated Birthday to you too!
I remain as always, Anak Bangsa Malaysia.
This is so timely, at that hour shortly before Merdeka when I am resentful about every damn freakshow that’s come to personify modern day Malaysia. Perhaps tonight, with this story in mind, I can make peace and just remember the potential it once had (and still has?) Happy Merdeka!
i love that post of yours.. its so touching and nice.. Happy Independence Day 🙂
You know I try to be optimistic and only comment positively most of the time but this year, it cuts really deep.
Selamat Menyambut Hari Kemerdekaan ke-53..
Look how ‘far’ we’ve come.. (;_;)
u shud put a “Like” button a la FB. i’ll just *super like* it here cos i reli am lost for words at such poignancy. happy merdeka!!
stan lee: thanks for the words of encouragement! Am glad that you’ve enjoyed reading the blog.
Dharm: thanks, Dharm, and selamat hari merdeka to you! You’re an excellent example to your kids.
minchow: there is still hope and it starts with the right education. Happy Independence Day, my friend!
Amid all the hackneyed hollowness of the 1Malaysia sloganeering, it’s refreshing to read your parents’ story and how they had to work hard to overcome racial bias.
Nothing comes easy, and I have too many good friends from different races to be disheartened by callous racist remarks.
Happy Merdeka #iheartmalaysia!
Your parents love story truly epitomizes the 1Malaysia slogan that is being so unabashedly flung around nowadays. Happy Merdeka Day Meena!
awwww patient and nurse love story, so sweet. Happy Merdeka Day!
A wonderful post – truly Malaysian 🙂
muhibbahnya. (how to spell ah?) takde darah melayu ke? so masih lagi pendatang ler?
wyyv: Thanks! Happy Independence to you too!
gfad: well, I suppose we have different degrees of tolerance. I don’t blame you for feeling that way.
Jun: Awwww. Hope you had a good merdeka celebration down under.
HungryC: Yeah, amazing what a small group can do to bring down our morale. It’s hard to ignore what they do, though. Happy Merdeka, dear!
unkaleong: Happy Merdeka! I try not to liberally use the term 1Malaysia. It has to mean something for me to use it.
babe_kl: Yeah, can turn into a movie. 🙂
Shan: Thanks, and yes, it is. 🙂
1FBB: I dunno where to go to. 🙁
those shots are just so cool.. sigh.. i luv LOVE stories & its gr8 to be celup innit.. when u mix vanilla and chocolate u get the best flavour! yarmiee 😛 hehe
Wao your parents’ love story embodies the message of 1Malaysia even before the recent concept of 1Malaysia. It was truly touching that inspite of initial objections from both sides, they conquered it all. They Succeeded because of Unconditional Love for each other and I m very sure yr brothers and you will carry on to inspire others in your own lives. God bless.
I love your story & website! Found you through IG. My mom was born in S’pore & dad from Malacca. Can’t believe you’ve eaten I’n so many places. Love your Makan Club, wish I could join.
Hi Eleanor….looks like I’ve found you on IG too! Welcome to my blog. Yes, this is a labour of love over a period of 6 years. 🙂