Today, when I visited Mam in the dining room around lunch time, I saw she was seated at a table with the Chinese lady. I have seen this lady before. She was I thought always strangely staring at my brother and me when we were visiting.
When I started speaking to Mam in Indonesia, she started speaking something to me. At first I did not understand her. Her voice was kind of hoarse. I was shaking her head to her to indicate I did not understand. I continued talking to Mam. She kept trying to talk to me. I finally caught what she was saying. She was speaking Indonesian to me!!!
I was quite surprised. I guess I had forgotten the Park Bend’s staffs had mentioned before that there was another Indonesian resident. This lady’s name is Julia. She told me she’s 85 years old. Her mind is still sharp. She asked how old Mam was. She told me she tried to talk to Mam but Mam did not answer. I explained to her that Mam did not understand much anymore. She told me she no longer has a good hearing (budek). She told me the name of her kids, who live in Austin and I am planning to find them (or at least their e-mails). I kept telling Mam to talk to Julia, but Mam did not even look at her.
I am not sure if Mam could be or need a friend, but tante Julia is there if Mam wants to befriend her or need to talk to someone. I am a bit excited for Mam.
