That pair of hands

That pair of hands who had made countless Teochew kueh…
I remember using the dough to create and knead it into all kinda of stuff, treating the dough for the kueh like some kinda toy when I was still a little girl. It was fascinating to see my creations being steamed and was thrilled when I saw them taken out of the steamer. Could not bear to eat them. That pair of hands taught me how to place the kueh neatly into the mould and make sure that the kueh came out neat and nice.

That pair of hands who had made countless rice dumplings…
I remember trying to help with the wrapping of all the ingredients for the dumplings using the two pieces of leaves but I had failed countless times, with my little hands then, or was it the skill? Those which I thought I had successfully wrapped up and tied fell apart in less than five minutes. Ended up just savouring those dumplings made by that pair of hands. Still could remember the fragrance of the meat being stir-fried in that big black wok and the big basin used for containing the glutinous rice. It was all owed to that pair of hands that I could taste delicious homemade rice dumplings.

That pair of hands who had made delicious tao suan…
I remember I wanted to learn how to make tao suan, like the sticky and starchy feel of that dessert. Together with dough stick, it was simply heaven. That pair of hands taught me that it was not an easy task to make good tao suan, the beans must be steamed properly and the most important part was the part you needed to stir and get the starchiness just right. It was tiring stirring the tao suan and mixing the steamed beans in. That pair of hands reminded me to persevere so as to taste good tao suan. I have a feeling I have disappointed that pair of hands over these couple of years, can’t remember much about making that dessert.

That pair of hands…carried my bag when I was still in kindergarten, held my little hand when I was going home, shielded me from being bullied when I was in kindergarten (there was this little boy who kept pinching me), sewed a few quilt patchwork kinda blankets for me…have always love the smell of each one, used them till torn and tattered, there’s so much love and warmth in every stitch.

That pair of hands is rough and shrivelled now but I always love to hold that pair of hands…that pair of hands belongs to my dear grandma. Ma-ma, I am so happy to see you today and I am glad we chatted, you look great with that smile on your face, I love you, hugz…