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Letter to my beautiful aunt

December 29, 2019 | Newbloggycat

Dearest Aunt Ying

As I write this letter to you, my heart is filled with love.

Three years had passed but the memory of you still warms my heart.

You often spoke about the importance of family.

I believe the Christmas lunch party which you organized each year was your way of keeping the family together.

And I’m glad your daughters have kept this tradition going.

You once told me that my presence is more important than the presents under the Christmas tree.

I came, Aunt Ying on Christmas day though I was a little late.

I felt your presence when I was in your home.

Your presence is felt on every floor tiles, the walls and the lights.

Your voice still echoed throughevery room and hallway.

And I hear you still.

You were simple yet elegant.

And you enjoyed the simple things in life, one who cared not about status or luxury though you were blessed with a very comfortable life.

You were connected with nature through your love for gardening.

You need no wi-fi cos you had found the best connection in the beauty of your garden.

I had enjoyed those times just having tea and chatting with you in your living room.

I miss your wit and your wisdom.

I know you’re at peace now, Aunt Ying resting in the arms of our dear Lord.

And we shall meet again one day on the other side of the stars.

Much love, Pat ♥️

one big family

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Quote of the day – Sandy Dahl

September 11, 2019 | Newbloggycat

Remembering 9/11 on the 18th Anniversary. (≚ᄌ≚)

New Bloggy Cat [NBC]

“If we learn nothing else from this tragedy, we learn that life is short and there is no time for hate.”

—Sandy Dahl, wife of Flight 93 pilot Jason Dahl, in Shanksville, Pa., in 2002

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Journey of love and acceptance

January 7, 2019 | Newbloggycat

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.

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Message to my aunt in heaven

December 29, 2018 | Newbloggycat

flower fr nursery

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 say 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.

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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

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Quote of the day – Erica Jong

October 2, 2018 | Newbloggycat

“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

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Remembering our gentle monster today, exactly 4 years since his passing. Forever loved and always in our hearts.

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Hello Dad…

January 7, 2018 | Newbloggycat

visit to cemetery

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.

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Remembering my aunt

December 29, 2017 | Newbloggycat

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.

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Remembering Paul Curran

October 8, 2017 | Newbloggycat

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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.

Paul curran

“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

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The Gentle Monster – NBC

October 2, 2017 | Newbloggycat

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.

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Remembering dad on his 85th birthday

August 26, 2017 | Newbloggycat

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

0039

… reading

(You loved to read both English and Chinese books. And I remember returning some books to the rental shop after your passing)

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.

.. 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)

chapati and dhal

.

.. bringing home a new puppy.

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… lending a helping hand to friend or stranger

act of kindness

Happy 85th Birthday, Dad!

Much love …

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