Fruits for Lunch

‘Aiya, no need to get fruits la Lucy… We already have so much food for lunch today! Park inside the office!’ Ching Ching said to Lucy who was sitting in her car one morning. ]

Lucy giggled and nodded. ‘Okay, okay...’ Lucy said. Happy that she succeeded for the first time in talking Lucy to not get fruits for lunch, Ching Ching pranced away to open the office gate so Lucy could park her car inside. To her dismay Lucy drove off, leaving Ching Ching speechless standing with a wide opened gate, and me laughing hysterically at Lucy’s clever trick. She wins again this time! 

Every Tuesday when Lucy comes to the eHomemakers office, we always have fruits after lunch bought by her at the nearby mini market. Sweet juicy papayas, oranges that if turned out to be sour, were sprinkled on with a little bit of salt and the sourness was gone (a trick that Lucy taught us), guavas or sometimes even apples. No matter what, there would always be fruits. After eating lunch, Lucy would run off to the kitchen and bring out a big plate of fruits, which we always found room to stomach, no matter how full we were.

 

Every intern that joins eHomemakers, no matter how short their stay, HAS to meet Lucy, and there has never been one intern that was never fond of her. Some of the previous interns even called her ‘Aunty Lucy’.  During lunch sometimes, Lucy would talk to the interns about her journey with SLE, and how she became the woman of perseverance she is today, and us interns would listen attentively. Who would have thought that quiet Aunty Lucy who was busy counting eco-baskets in the next room had such a big story behind her?

 

There was once where I was cranky and on that same day, I had to film Lucy’s video journal in the office. I grabbed the camera and set up, sulking. Halfway into filming, I couldn't help laughing at Lucy’s gullibility, and my mood was instantly changed from sulky to happy.  (see video below)

Thanks to Lucy, the office is always cheerful and happy. Lucy never ceases to ease the stress level in the office, her bright smile and laughter always does the trick. She is an angel in disguise, and despite our stress and struggles in eHomemakers, Lucy is definitely a reason why we carry on doing what we do. There was never a day I remember being in the office with Lucy where I had a bad day.

 

I can’t wait till next Tuesday.  


Rhonwyn H.