Updated: March 15, 2022 – My Grandfather’s Journey
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
A stunning photo of my grandpa and great-grandma was taken in 1929 when he was 16. No one has researched that branch of my family tree. My grandfather’s journey started as he was born in the southern part of Malaysia—Mersing, Johor.
He was dynamic and forever wanted to learn new things. At 14, he worked at a photo studio in Kluang (90 km from Mersing) and learning additional skill sets every day. He worked hard. So after two years with a mindset of outstanding entrepreneurship, he moved up north to Labis (90km from Kluang) and set up his photo studio at the tender age of 16.
My grandpa was entirely out of his comfort zone. He burned all bridges behind him, and stake his entire future on his ability to get what he wanted.
He left himself no way of retreat, but had to win or perish!
During the Japanese occupation (1941-1945) in Malaya then, it challenged him, humbled him. Lifted him and shrank him down. Sometimes all at once. Troops took him many locations to snap photos for them at the military camps, but the soldiers destroyed all images during the end of World War 2.
Many incidents hurt him and he was furious, but he tried to laugh those stuff off. He still didn’t know about life, and the future might bring. But he knew himself.
My grandma taught him to work hard, laugh often, and keep his word. His wife shown him how to think for himself and to use his voice. Together in their cramped house above the photo studio, south side of Labis, Johor. She helped him to see value in him, his story.
Although he died before I turned eight, my memories of my grandpa were still vivid. He wore dark grey trousers and a white shirt. His fingers were tar-stained from smoking cigarettes. His favourite—Dunhill. He smelled of aftershave tobacco.
Every school holiday, he will bring my brother and me over from Kuala Lumpur to Labis by train. The fun part was getting to meet all my cousins.
The lights coming from the torchlight always fascinates us. We tried to catch the rays as grandpa shone the light on the ground, moving back and forth. Our naïve mind enjoyed every moment with our grandpa.
Even though it is neither attractive nor perfect, even is more real than you ever imagine, my grandfather’s journey with his story is what he has, what he will always have, is something to own.
In his story, the most massive tale in our family tree—a champion forever.
#VeterinarianIndonesia #UKProperty #Lifestyle
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Sounds like he was a strong hardworking man! 💙
He was a hero in my heart.
What a beautiful tribute to your grandfather! Makes me think of mine.
Excellent. Please let me know once you’ve got yours posted.