Have a joyous Christmas together
Enjoy the festivities with family, friends and, of course, delicious food
NIBONG TEBAL: Company procurement manager Vincent Chin is thankful that he is able to celebrate Christmas with his loved ones as a family this year.
The 37-year-old said his wife Melinda Robert, also 37, a senior staff nurse at the National University Hospital in Singapore, was unable to return home for the festive season last year.
“Melinda has taken on a parttime position this year as midwife at the hospital, which requires her to be on duty for just a few days in a month.
“As such, she managed to get a long break this month. While this is our second Christmas together, it will be our third wedding anniversary since tying the knot on Dec 31, 2016.
“But more importantly, this is our first proper Christmas celebration with the family and our 15-monthold son Michael Robert,” he said at their home in Taman Tambun Permai, Simpang Ampat here.
Chin said he was also blessed with a new job in June this year at a multinational company in Batu Kawan, which is a mere 15-minute drive away from home.
“Christmas is always special to me because we came from a very poor family. Back then, we could not afford a decent Christmas tree with fancy ornaments.
“We had our first Christmas tree when I was in Year Four. It was a secondhand white tree given by a family friend.
“I remember my mum cutting out Christmas wrappers and gluing them to the tree as decorations.
“So, every Christmas season is a recollection of how far we have come and how many blessings we have received from God,” he said.
Chin said his youngest sibling Thomas Chin, 31, and his Thai-Myanmar wife, who live in Bandar Tasek Mutiara nearby, would be spending this Christmas with them.
He said his adopted brother James Loo, 46, would also join them.
But he said his older siblings Jason Chin, 44, and Sally Chin, 43, who live in Jakarta and Singapore respectively, would only be back for Chinese New Year next year.
“They usually return home every year, alternating between Christ- mas and Chinese New Year,” Chin added.
Melinda said she was thankful to Chin and her parents-in-law Cesilia Franklin, 62, and Thomas Chin Yoke Loy, 66, for taking care of Michael while she worked in Singapore.
Melinda, who has seven siblings, said Christmas was a big affair back home as family and friends would converge on the family home in Seberang Jaya for a joyous reunion.
She said her mum A. Margaret, in her 60s, would prepare mutton curry, chicken perattal, tomato rice, shepherd’s pie, ginger chicken, roasted chicken, chocolate cake and various types of cookies.
“Christmas season is also special to me as my mum and late father T. Robert, who passed away 15 years ago, were also married on Dec 31.
“So, every time Chin and I celebrate our wedding anniversary, we will also remember my parents on their special day,” she said.
Cesilia, a retired nursery teacher, said Christmas to her would always be about family time and togetherness.
“I am especially happy to spend quality time with all five of my grandchildren.
“After attending Christmas Eve watch night mass at the Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church in Per- matang Tinggi, we return home at around midnight to chat over some wine, fruit cake and titbits before exchanging presents,” Cesilia said.
She said since the family did not like roasted turkey, she prepared her signature chicken pie, fried chicken, chicken curry and mixed vegetables for Christmas.
“We are also hosting my husband’s relatives and some friends from church for Christmas lunch,” she said.