Family - you can't live without them

I am counting the days. Will be in KL soon, and before I know it, we will be going for our short break ...a first family hols in a long long time. The last time all of us were together were Christmas 2007 and before that was during my brtother's wedding in Dec 2004.

It is difficult for us to be at the same place together - in the 1990s was partly because I was never home - and when I did, my brother or my sister were not there. I was studying in the UK at the time, while my brother was in New Zealand. And my youngest sister was also all over the place - all in the name of education - first she was in KK, then to JB and finally in KL (till now). Because of this, we would really try to be together - usually during christmas, or gawai - but our career demands always interfere. Time together is very precious.

And, thanks to my sister in law, we are about to get together for a short break. We are taking mum and dad to Cameron Highlands. They have always expressed their interests in Cameron Highlands but somehow we never visit the place. Before this, before all of us are working, I think the opportunity to travel was there but my parents sacrified a lot because of us. They saved whatever they have for our education fund, instead of travelling, seeing places - and now, it is time for us to pay them back. I know that is not enough compared to their sacrifice, but I know it will make them happy. I know my dad is proud of all of us - and now that he has 2 handsome grandsons - he is feeling blessed to have us - and we are definitely blessed having them as our dad and mum.

Family is important to me. We can choose our friends, our spouse, but we cannot choose out family. For me, my family has always been there for me, through thick and thin ...and I hope I can do the same for them.

The great gift of family life is to be intimately acquainted with people you might never even introduce yourself to, had life not done it for you. ~Kendall Hailey, The Day I Became an Autodidact