- Timothy L.,  Timeless Tales Challenge Winner, September 2025

My grandfather, Loh K. L. was born in 1928, in the city of Kuala Lumpur, in the State of Selangor in West Malaysia. After finishing secondary school (equivalent to US High school), he moved to Kuala Pilah, in the state of Negri Sembilan. There, he worked as an English teacher for over 10 years. Eventually, around the age of 30, my grandfather moved to Singapore.

Upon moving to Singapore, he began working as an English translator for the police. During that time, a riot broke out. However, his supervisor had helped him and kept him safe. Not long after that, someone introduced a woman to him. Her name was Ms. Wong. Eventually, they got married. They peacefully had two kids: a daughter and a son. However, when Mrs. Loh was pregnant with her third son, my dad, there was a major riot in their city.

It was a difficult time for them, as my grandfather and his family lived in a dramatic and rather unsafe neighborhood. At times during the riot, he could hear violent protests and fights just down the road from his house. Thankfully, throughout the riot, his boss from the police department helped and aided them greatly, providing safety and transportation. Even after the riot ended, Geylang, the neighborhood they lived in, was still a red light district. So a few years later, Mr. Loh and his family moved to a different, safer apartment by Bendimeer street.

As the years passed, all Mr. Loh’s children graduated school, married and moved out. Two of his children remained in Singapore for university or work, while his youngest child, my dad, went to university in the USA, Arizona. Soon after, Mrs. Loh was diagnosed with cancer and passed away. Upon burying her at a cemetery, Mr. Loh joined the association that overlooked the cemetery in which his wife was buried. To this day, Mr. Loh lives in his apartment in Bendimeer street. 

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This year, Mr. Loh turned 97. He has many secrets to his long life. Every day, he reads the newspaper, following international and domestic news. However, in addition to politics, he reads articles about hygiene and staying healthy. When he comes across a headline or paragraph that he finds special or important, he will cut that section out and paste it in a small area on his bedroom wall. 

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My grandpa lived through many major events in his life, gaining a lot of knowledge and experience. His life is full of stories and events of which he talks about. Mr. Loh’s life is an adventurous life, and even right now, he continues pursuing the hobbies and interests in which he is still capable of doing.