Tuesdays with Cherry

A friend from New Zealand sent me a photo of herself with her friend in her kitchen in New Zealand. They were just having a good time chatting about old times in Sarawak. I hope Mui does not mind me putting this photo here. It warms my heart to see Mui and another good friend of mine, Fiona together in the photo.

When a "foreign wife" lives in Sarawak she has to endure many cross cultural difficulties and differences. She has to make a lot of adjustments before she can settle in. And on the part of her in-laws and husband, they too had to make adjustments. One cannot take things for granted. Love can endure all things BUT not always.

This brought to mind my good Kiwi neighbour in Sibu all those years ago. ....


I have not seen or met Cherry Tang of Sungei Merah for more than 15 years.


And I don't have any digital pictures to show.


Cherry Nicolson-Tang was my Sungei Merah neighbour's daughter-in-law.

Before Mitch Abum wrote his book, Tuesdays with Morrie, I often jokingly told my family that I was spending "Tuesdays with Cherry".


For several years, before Cherry went back to New Zealand, we spent lovely Tuesday afternoons together, chatting about literature, life's philosophy,and general topics .


I really appreciated her kindness, patient company and thoughtfulness.


On my birthday before she left for new Zealand for good, she brought a simple cup cake with a candle . That was simply memorable. It brought tears to my eyes then. I had to live on courageously without her company in the years to come.


Every one must have a good and understanding neighbour . Every young mother must have a friend's shoulder to cry on.


Thanks Cherry for all the Tuesdays you gave me.