On 17th of June, Tzu Chi Singapore Branch organized its 36th Elderly Care Day. Tzu Chi volunteers showered their sincere care and concerns on the lonely elders, bringing much joy and laughter to the senior citizens, transforming Tzu Chi’s beliefs of kindness and filial piety into actions.

The elders had their hair cuts by the Tzu Chi volunteers who doubled as their hairstylists. After their hair were trimmed, the elders looked more fresh and energetic.

On this Father’s Day, 81 years old Grandpa Lim missed his own father too. Although his children seldom have time for him, Grandpa Lim did not mind or blame them, displaying his fatherly love towards his children.

Group activities were most enjoyed by the elders. See how the Grandpas and Grandmas happily danced to the tune of the music.

A Tzu Chi volunteer carefully putting on socks for a Grandpa, bringing much warmth to him.

The Zheng sisters made best use of this Father Days’ cum Elderly Care Day in Tzu Chi to shower their care and concerns to the lonely elders, taking care of them as if they were their own parents.

Sister Chen Xi Zhi’s sincere care and concern brought her relationship closer with the elderly.

Early morning drizzles awoken the sleepy Singapore. It brought with it the long awaited coolness to the Lion City which had been under the scorching hot sun for the past few days.

At about 9:30am, a few buses ferrying elders from all over Singapore arrived at Jing Si Hall to participate in its 36th Elderly Care Day, which had a special significance as it was both Father’s Day and Dumpling Festival on this date.

Other than enjoying the specially arranged concert performance, the elders also had their hair cuts by the Tzu Chi volunteers who doubled as their hairstylists. After their hair were trimmed, the elders looked more fresh and energetic. Upon the arrivals of all 199 elders, the program for the day started with lively interactions between the elders and the volunteers, followed by graceful sign language performance, humorous skits and beautiful songs, all of which brought much joy to the elders and leaving trails of laughter in the hall.

Parental Love is the Greatest Love of All

17th June is Father’s Day. Unlike Mother’s Day, Fathers’ Day is usually being lesser celebrated by most people. Nevertheless, in our heart we do love our parents, and both Father and Mother are equally important to us.

81 years old Grandpa Lim shared with us on how he missed his parents although they had already passed away for so long. Grandpa Lim lamented that the younger generation these days are so preoccupied with works that they tend to neglect their aged parents and gradually had forgotten the importance of Fathers’ and Mothers’ Days. Also, he felt that modern days’ parents had also placed lesser emphasis on inculcating the proper moral values to their children.

In his recollections, Grandpa Lim could still remember how his father had to cut firewood in order to bring home meager income for supporting their family of seven, until Grandpa Lim was able to work and helped his father lessened his burden.

“Back in the olden days, children must be filial to their parents, as this is the most fundamental moral principles. I hope youths these days will be able to develop and impart such value to their children.” shared Grandpa Lim. “My children are very busy with their works, so they do not have time for me. I don’t blame them though…” Such few simple words conveyed the greatest fatherly love Grandpa Lim has towards his children.

Great Love and Filial Piety

Zheng Ya Mei, 63, and her sister had just recently attended the Buddha Bathing ceremony (i.e. a symbolic gesture to “bathe” the Buddha, as part of Vesak Day celebration) in May.  They were enlightened by Master Cheng Yen’s speech on how we should not wait in terms of helping others and being filial, as time is running short. They realized that they had missed out many opportunities in the past. The sisters regretted that they did not spend enough time with their parents in their younger days as they were too preoccupied with their works. Now that they were both retired and have plenty of time to spare, their parents were no longer around.

In order to make up for their regrets, the Zheng sisters made best use of this occasion in Tzu Chi to shower their care and concerns to the lonely elders, taking care of them as if they were their own parents. Such acts of kindness are indeed a living testimony of the Great Love, as we can see from the actions of these two sisters when they converted the love they had towards their parents into the love for all other elders.

Sincere Love Warmed Her Heart

After watching the performances, the elders proceeded to the temporary dining hall to have their vegetarian lunch. Over there, Sister Chen Xi Zhi spotted a beautiful smile. On the previous Elderly Care Day, there was this Grandma who’s in her 60s from SWAMI (Sunshine Welfare Action Mission) Home who looked quite depressed. Her Burmese nurse advised Tzu Chi volunteers not to provoke her or she will hit them. When this old Grandma insisted of not removing her shoes, Sister Xi Zhi talked to her very nicely so as to soothe her anxiety. Although she wasn’t sure if the old lady could understand her language, Sister Xi Zhi still did not give up and carry on caring her. 

After the previous encounter, Sister Xi Zhi met the Grandma again today. It delighted her to see smiles on the Grandma’s face as it showed that she understood what was going on. She told her, “Today’s programmes are specially arranged for you. So you must enjoy, okay?” Upon hearing that, tears rolled down the Grandma’s face. Sister Xi Zhi encouraged her to return her love to the nurse who looks after her.

“Grandma you must smile more okay? Your smile is very important to your nurse, because if you’re happy, she’d be happy too, you know?” The Burmese nurse who was beside the Grandma was so touched by the sincere love and concern from Tzu Chi people that she decided to sign up to become a Tzu Chi member.

“This incident reminded me of what Master had taught us – trust that we are not selfish and trust that there is love amongst us. Grandma’s sincere response really moved me. I feel grateful to her.” Sister Xi Zhi shared with us how this incident had reinforced her belief in Tzu Chi’s missions as it had proved to be the right path for her.

Indeed, trust that we are not selfish and trust that there is love amongst us. It is like the warm morning sun illuminating every corner of the land and the cool breeze swaying, bringing to us calm and peacefulness.