Recently I met a couple who relocated to an apartment complex near where I reside. They came here to escape from the hustle and bustle of Kuala Lumpur.
Over coffee, we shared about our childhood experiences growing up in Kuala Lumpur. Eric's parents passed away in a car accident when he was in primary school, leaving him and a younger sister. Even though much compensation from insurance was made, his uncles took the pay out, and abandoned him and his sister. They were housed in their aunt's garage, only provided with the bare minimum to survive. After he entered secondary school, he had to wait at tables in the afternoon to earn enough to provide for himself and his sister. It was difficult to grow up being treated like beggars by his deceased father's blood sister. Still, he had a chance to study and better himself. He worked hard and was fortunate to be given quite a few scholarships on his way to acquire his first degree.
I was full of admiration for his significant achievement although he was dealt with quite a poor hand in early life. He expressed deep appreciation for his wife who released him for one whole year to complete his Master's degree in Australia. As a young wife recently married, she trusted her husband enough to endure such a prolonged separation in view of a better future. It is not often for one to meet with someone who overcame great odds like him.
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