Wednesday, September 01, 2010

Remembering Mum + Elderly Enterprise

It was three years ago this day that my mum passed away. It was the saddest day of my life, but it was also what I had wished for from the time my mum became bed-ridden and had to be fed through a tube. That morning was, thankfully, the last time I had to feed my mum that way, for she died while I was giving her her medication.

I will forever miss my mum. Who wouldn't? My mum was the best mum anyone could ever wished for. Enduring extreme poverty and hardship, she single-handedly brought up all eleven of us without expecting anything for herself. She lived for her children, and our well-being was her joy. Such was the extent of her love and devotion.

"It broke our hearts to lose you mum, But you did not go alone
For part of us went with you, The day God took you home;
If roses grow in Heaven, Lord please pick a bunch for us
Place them in our mother’s arms, And tell her they’re from us;
Tell her we love her and miss her, And when she turns to smile
Place a kiss upon her cheek, And hold her for awhile;
We don’t think mum’s gone away, Her journey’s just begun
Life holds so many facets, This Earth is only one;
We know our mum lives on, In the hearts of those she touched
For nothing loved is ever lost, And she is loved so very much."

~ Personal by George


TeddyThotz's ELDERLY ENTERPRISE
A tribute to Mothers, Grandmothers and our Elderly

We sometimes looked back and wished we had appreciated more the things our mothers or grandmothers made for us when we were young -- things like patchwork blankets and beans sprout husks pillows. When these things were common, they tended to be taken for granted.

Tablemat for putting hot pot
or flower vase.

Beans sprout husks pillow
for newborn.


Fortunately, Jon, through his work with hundreds of elderly, found that some of them were still making things like patchwork blankets and floormats. Naturally, we decided to champion the talents of the elderly and the things they were good at making. And that was how TeddyThotz's ELDERLY ENTERPRISE was born

Starting with patchwork blankets made by Mdm Ong, who is in her 80's, we now have a good range of things made by some 10 elderly persons, each with their own unique skills.
 
Mdm Ong spends her morning taking part in social recreational activities
at the Lion's centre below her flat. In the afternoon, she'll make her
patchwork to pass the time.
  
Patchwork blanket by Mdm Ong.
Just for the patchwork blankets alone, for example, we have them in different styles made by different elderly. We dare say we probably have the widest selection of patchwork blankets in Singapore.

Most Rewarding Part

The most rewarding part of our ELDERLY ENTERPRISE is knowing that the elderly are happy that the things they make are appreciated and in demand, and that they get to earn some money for their efforts.

It is also heartwarming to see people, young and old, stopping to admire, touch and feel the patchwork blankets or beans sprout husks pillows on display, with many of them telling us about their memories of the things their mother or grandmother had made for them when they were young.

Patchwork blanket by
90-plus granny.
We couldn't have asked for more from our ELDERLY ENTEPRISE. It has not only benefitted the elderly involved, it has also made available traditional items that bring back fond memories and that customers can buy and cherish once more.

~ For more info on our Elderly Enterprise products and where to view or buy them, visit www.teddythotz.com.

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