COMMENT | My mum enjoys visiting her relatives and friends in her old age. Being connected makes one feel alive, she often tells me.

The other day, she requested my dad to drop her off at Transfer Road, Penang. After a series of phone calls to multiple people whom she keeps close to, it was time to visit them for real, face to face, for a wholesome bonding time. As mum’s loyal chauffeur, dad obliged.

After visiting her relatives for the day, mum made an impromptu decision to drop by the house of one of her old classmates who happened to live nearby. She had spoken to this friend many times over the phone but had not met her in person for years.

When mum knocked on the door, expecting to surprise her classmate, someone else attended the door.

"Is Salmah here? I am Nisha, her old classmate," said mum.

Latifah, who answered the door, informed mum...