last saturday morning at 5:50am, my gramps was called Home to be with the Lord.
okay, so sad news for me, for us. but good news for him. he's been in perth, living with us for about 2 years now. and i'm really really really glad that he came here. it gave me a chance to hang out with him, play mahjong with him, cook for him, eat with him, and just get to know him.
he's the only grandparent who i can say i actually knew. i knew what kind of food he liked, what he didn't. i knew what kind of tv he liked watching and where on his back he liked to be massaged. i knew how he liked his coffee and that he had a really really sweet tooth.
but what was even better, was that as soon as they heard, all the family from mum's side flew down from singapore. we've never particularly been close to all of mum's family, so it was a little bit nerve racking at first just to see how things would go! but, the Lord is good. it turns out that His master plan all this time was to bring the family back together. gramps would've been pleased. happy. contented. and at peace. it was one of his "last wishes" to see the whole family reunited. so to have it happen (and for EVERYONE to fly down at the last minute), it was really a blessing.
it's also times like this which make you realize the brevity of life. but it's not just about making some sweeping statement like "living life to the full", but it's more about living life well. and i think gramps did that. i mean, i've heard lots of stories about him growing up, and really, he didn't get saved until he was in his 70s. but nevertheless, there are so many things which we can all be thankful for and there are also countless things which i've learned from him - through his example.
last weekend (through to wednesday) were probably the most hectic and sleep-deprived days that i've lived through yet. from little to no sleep on most of those days, God still provided. He kept me safe when I was driving (tired... yes), but He also opened my eyes to see that love and faith are two things which i need to work on keeping close to my heart.
but all in all, gramps' funeral wasn't sad. at first i was sad that people weren't getting sad. but then, i realized after a bit that you know what? really, what is there to be sad about? gramps lived a full life here on earth, but he's gone on to a place which is awesomely better than here! i mean, c'mon the streets ARE lined with gold and everyone lives in a humongous mansion! it's a pretty sweet deal. so you know what? it's not and was not a time of grieving. but rather, it was a celebration. =)
SUNDAY
the first lot of family landed on early sunday morning, so sunday night dinner called for a good ol' aussie bbq... :)
MONDAY
the two sisters saying goodbye
chucking all-nighters to get the video presentation up to scratch!
but yes, i realize that the clock says 12 noon, but hey!
i hadn't slept yet!
playing keys: getting ready for the vigil service
quick lunch before rushing off to finalize everything
the beautiful wreaths
consoling mum
the vigil service in action, people paying their last respects
we were tired... so of course, there's funny faces on the couch
TUESDAY
a family portrait before the herse left for the crematorium
after the reception, such a catalogue shot
< L to R: benedict (aka da ge)|raph|mum|aunty siew tin|me|rach|dad >
nice one of the three of us
one last meal: the family at the atrium restaurant, burswood
five trips in two and a half days...
thankfully, petrol prices went down to 120!
and finally, we have a nice family shot for mum's side!
see what i mean? family unity all the way! =D
so a celebration indeed.
but nevertheless, it doesn't meant that we won't miss him.
coz i will.
dearly.
*kudos to both jerry and uncle albert for the courtesy of some photos*
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