Remembering 9/11 on the 18th Anniversary. (≚ᄌ≚)
Tag Archives: remembrance
Journey of love and acceptance
Going on 18 years now since my dad was called home.
And it took me a long time to realize that
the process of grieving is not
something one can ignore.
It is not about being weak or strong
or how long one should grieve.
Grieving is a journey of acceptance.
A new way of seeing.
A lesson on life and death.
An awakening to living a true life.
Grief is an act of love we have
for those we love and hold so dear.
It is really a journey of love in the presence
to a new journey of love in the absence.
Message to my aunt in heaven
Hello again, Aunt Ying
I thought about you today. Though it is nothing new as I often thought about you in silence and whenever I see the beautiful plants and colourful flowers at the nursery near my home.
I remember those times we sat and talked. Talking to you was always a treat.
We once talked about life and death. You told me that one day you will die and I said, “Aunt, please don’t say that.” But you said, “It’s a fact we must all accept.” You then showed me a beautiful photo of yourself and said it will be the photo of your final journey.
Not too long after that you told me that you had trouble sleeping and you were getting quite forgetful. I did not feel anything amiss at that time cos I was rather forgetful myself too.
I feel sad and helpless when you told me you could no longer drive or do your own shopping. I know how much you loved to be independent. You said you would never want to be a burden to your family.
Also, you often spoke about your two loving daughters, both have made you felt really loved and blessed as a mother. And how much you loved and enjoyed being a grandma to your two wonderful grandsons.
I thought about my visit to your home with Sydelle and Shaye in November 2016. You said you felt very tired. Though you did not say much on that day, you looked at Sydelle and Shaye and uttered “They are very beautiful”. Something you often said about the girls when we meet. I’m thankful that we visited you that day. But I never thought that would be our last goodbye.
Today, I will light a candle for you to let you know,
I miss your smile
I miss your voice
I miss your wit and your wisdom.
Rest in peace, Aunt Ying!
I shall see you one day on the other side of the stars.
Much love, Pat
Quote of the day – Erica Jong
“Dogs come into our lives to teach us about love,
they depart to teach us about loss.
A new dog never replaces an old dog,
it merely expands the heart.
If you have loved many dogs
your heart is very big.”
Erica Jong
Remembering our gentle monster today, exactly 4 years since his passing. Forever loved and always in our hearts.
Hello Dad…
Hello Dad,
today is January 7th
the same date seventeen years ago
at the wee hour of the morning
when I held you in my arms as you
struggled and breathe your last.
The last time Mom and I visited you
at the cemetery was quite some time ago
Not that we have forgotten you but
we believe your spirit dwells
in our hearts and not at the place
where we laid you to rest.
I’m glad I visited you today, Dad
I believe you were at the cemetery too.
I found peace within as I reminisce on the
lessons learned after your passing…
Life is too short to be grumpy
There’s hope in the midst of adversity.
Our success or failures does not
define who we are.
Life is about being joyful.
And there’s joy…
in being yourself
in giving & sharing
in the midst of pain and suffering,
May we find the strength
to let go of our past…
the years of pain and difficulties that
we had somehow survived and have made
us more compassionate and resilient.
May our hearts be filled with
love, joy and peace
as we continue to live
joyfully in the moment.
Remembering my aunt
Hello Aunt Ying
I can’t believe it’s been a year since you left us.
I thought about you often after your passing.
And you even appear in my dream twice.
I’m glad you’re now free and at peace,
re-united again with grandma, uncle PW, and my dad.
I believe they were there to welcome you with open arms.
Only when I was in my 20s and started working
that I got to know you better.
You seemed stern and strict to us when we were young.
But the truth was you were kind, understanding and witty.
And you were the aunt who would call me occasionally
to see how I was doing and for that I thank you.
Today, I want to remember
… your beautiful smile
… your warm hug
…your caring heart
…your love for gardening,
and your beautiful garden.
Also to let you know that
you’re in our thoughts today and
we believe your spirit still lives among us.
Memories of you will continue
to linger in our hearts and
we will always miss you.
Remembering Paul Curran
A year ago, we received the sad and devastating news on the demise of our dear friend, Paul Curran. Paul did not have his own blog and I had always looked forward to his weekly guest post over at Mark’s blog on Sundays.
If you want more of Paul’s stories, do hop over to CM’s blog where she has created a lovely space in memory of Paul.
Today I would like to pay tribute to our beloved Canadian friend – a master of words and storytelling who had touched our hearts and made a huge difference in our lives.
“Thank you Paul,
for sharing your beautiful stories.
Thank you for all your
thoughtful, wise and funny comments.
You were sincere, kind & understanding and
it was truly a joy and blessing knowing you.
May you rest in eternal peace and
rejoice with the angels above.”
~ NBC ♡(,,^・⋏・^,,)♡
“So long as the memory of certain beloved friends lives in my heart, I shall say that life is good.”
― Helen Keller
The Gentle Monster – NBC
A special dog like you would only
come along once in our lifetime.
And the name Monster suited well
for you were born a mischief-maker.
Remember all the furniture you destroyed and
dad’s new Ericsson phone you nibbled.
Did you try to call your girlfriend
and got upset with the not so
paw-friendly phone buttons?
Also the curtains you pulled down
together with the rod
the two bags of soil you ripped
and painted the front porch mud brown
and did not miss a spot.
You chewed every pair of
high-heel shoes that I bought.
Were you confused and thought
you must try to heel your sole
for all the trouble you caused?
But we could never really be angry with you
after all you were just
a monster with a gentle soul.
You adored and babysat
Sydelle and Shaye when they were younger
you were so smart you even
played hide and seek together
and your love for soccer was like no other.
You guarded the oven patiently and
waited for the roast lamb to be cooked.
You enjoyed your weekly spa moment
when dad gave you a shower.
Sadly though, three years ago today
you knew your end was near and
so very hard for us to let you go.
When I was out with the girls that evening
dad fed you your favourite meal
you spent some private moment
as he held you gently in his arms until
you were ready CT to say your final goodbye.
Three years on and
we love and miss you still, Monster.
Remembering dad on his 85th birthday
Dear Dad,
I’m sending birthday wishes to you today
all the way up to the sky.
And reminiscing the simple things
you enjoyed or made you glad like
… a cup of tea in the afternoon
… reading
(You loved to read both English and Chinese books. And I remember returning some books to the rental shop after your passing)
.
.. singing church hymns
(You were still singing to the gospel songs in the car even at the final stage of cancer)
… making chapati
(Indian flat bread)
.
.. bringing home a new puppy.
… lending a helping hand to friend or stranger
Happy 85th Birthday, Dad!
Much love …
Remembering my dad
Sixteen years ago today, my dad passed away. Recently, we said goodbye to my beloved aunt and it’s comforting to know that my dad was reunited with his beloved sister in heaven.
My message to my dad this anniversary is:
“Hi Dad, I can’t believe it’s been 16 years since you were gone. We are all imperfect. While on earth you had much pain and struggles yet you were honest, kind and generous and that’s perfectly you. And I believe you were at peace with your past and is now resting in eternal peace.
I wish you could stay longer to meet your beautiful grandchildren. But I know you are watching over them from heaven. You’ll live in our hearts till we meet again. ~Love always, Pat (♡ ὅ ◡ ὅ )ʃ♡“
Those we love and lose are always connected by heartstrings into infinity.
—Terri Guillemets
New Bloggy Cat [NBC] 