Dad, Mum, my future is disappearing

I am writing this with a heavy heart as it concerns a family known to my family.

It's about Quentin & his family, whom I wrote the first and second letter. Of late, things seemed to have taken a turn for the worst. Last week, we witnessed 3-year old Judy screaming at her mum to let her sit on the aisle side of the bus seat. Her mum, Ming, reproached her gently but continued to let her sit precariously, where any sudden jerk of the bus could easily throw this scrawny kid off the seat. Later, during lunch, Judy essentially ate nothing, unless you consider bits of a few strands of noodles "lunch" and was looking forward to eating a pack of snacks that she clutched tightly in her little hand. Her parents Quentin and Ming did nothing to encourage her to eat. Dad was, of course, busy reading the papers. Even when Judy's older brother James had finished his food and was still hungry, Dad didn't have a clue or care.

A couple of weeks earlier in church, Judy was eyeing some cakes that Rachel was eating for breakfast. As I offered some to Judy, I noticed her teeth were blackish, like murky drain water. Months earlier, we visited Quentin and family as part of Chinese New Year visits. Judy was wearing a fully loaded diaper, throughout the 3 hours or so that we spent at their house that afternoon. I wouldn't be surprised if she had been wearing it since last night.

My daughter Deborah told me that James, who is in Primary One this year and of the same age as her, could not read words like "show, them, him", etc. I could hardly believe my ears.

Quentin, Ming,

What on earth are you doing as parents to James and Judy? Are you allowing them to simply waste away although they came to you as blessings when they were born? Why have you chosen to live this way with your kids? Why can't you love them as you ought to? You are not financially challenged. You are not alcoholic. You don't have any problem with drugs, and you are not gamblers. Tell us why you choose to live this way.

It's painful to see the children growing up this way, my dear brother and sister in Christ. It's as good as leaving them to grow up in the best way they know. If they are orphans and living in a home, I think they will be better off.

Common, you know this is not right. You work late and take up courses. Are these mere excuses to avoid coming home to a family and kids that you have no love for? Tell me I am making stupid and baseless remarks. Tell me I am wrong and grossly mistaken. Then show me what you can and should do for your kids. There's still some hope if you act now.

Thomas