Monday, February 27, 2012

Show of Concern, or Showdown?

She had been unwell since we returned from Hkg, so Mr Liow suggested she rest at home this weekend. In fact, she told me herself during the holiday that she would PROBABLY come over to our place on Saturday night BECAUSE IT'S EASIER TO GO TO CHURCH FROM OUR PLACE. That's her main reason for coming, if she does come. SIL is out of town and she wants to stay home with the nieces. That's perfectly fine with us.

Suddenly at 1pm yesterday, she arrived with lunch only for herself. She said she didn't know we were home, otherwise she would have called to see what we wanted for lunch. It's ok, because I got lunch for ourselves after PTM (no music class today. It was PTM instead).

But she was extremely touchy. Every question Mr Liow asked her, she replied in frustration.

Mr Liow, with no ill meaning for a start: "Wow. You uploaded pictures in FB. 100 over of them?"

Her sounding agitated: "Yes. All your pictures. Why?"

Mr Liow: "And you tagged me one by one?"

Her, sarcastically: "You don't like it? I won't do it next time."

Me (trying to play peace maker) : "No, he meant you could have saved lots of time if you tagged the album instead of the pictures."

Mr Liow, frustrated at her outburst, could not be bothered to pacify her: "You made my phone ring 100 times."

Short while later, Mr Liow asked if she felt better. That blew the fuse. She got VERY upset and asked: "Are you worried I'll pass the virus to your kids? If so, I'll leave rightaway!" Without another word, she got her stuff and stomped off.

Mr Liow kept cool about that, and I didn't know if I should stop her from leaving. Ermmm...she didn't look happy when she saw us the moment she stepped in and every conversation Mr Liow and her engaged in, she appeared....challenged, defensive, angry.

Mr Liow told me later that he did ask her out of concern of course, but partly also because he wondered why she still went to church despite being unwell and should be home resting. And he was worried the kids would catch the virus from her again.

The 4 of us have all suffered for 2 weeks: 1 week before Hkg and even during the trip. The kids and Mr Liow have FINALLY recovered. I'm almost recovering. Yes, we as parents of 2 young children are selfish creatures. At this point, which parent won't be over protective?

Where was she when she was well and the kids are sick? She was never here to help till weekends and if she had programs, she wouldn't stay home to help too. We have come to terms with that. Now she's sick and the kids are well. Why can't she be more understanding? Has she never taken care of sick children? Won't she feel heartache to see then suffering those agonizing symptoms??

What, I wonder, is this grandma thinking? At this stage, is it still only about herself? About how 'useless' her son is? Which grandma who is unwell will make her way to recovering grandkids and throw tantrums because the kids' parents reacted instinctively? Mr Liow didn't even ask her to leave and asked if she felt better, and she had to make it seem like she was victimised.

Tsk....you weren't in a good mood and specifically came to spoil ours? How more unique can you be?

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