My father 1930-2022

My dad, aged 93, passed away peacefully of old age on 2nd September 2022. He had just earlier fully recovered from COVID-19 and was discharged from the hospital where he was warded for seven days. Three days later his health suddenly turned for the worst, gasping for breath. He was asthmatic and his lung was probably further weakened by the COVID-19 infection. Finally, his system shut down and he breathed his last breath at 10.59am on 2nd September 2022. Although I was not at his side when he passed on, I was able to follow closely and saw the video of his final condition, thanks to mobile phone technology.

I left the house with my wife at 7.00 am on 3rd Sept 2022 to return to my hometown in Segamat. It was a Saturday and the beginning of school holidays in Singapore and Malaysia. I was caught in massive traffic jam, the worst I had encountered in all my life crossing the borders between Singapore and Malaysia. It took me one hour to cross the Singapore side of the Tuas checkpoint and then another four hours to clear the Malaysian side as traffic moved at snail's pace bumper-to-bumper. After clearing the borders it was another three hours drive before I reached home in Segamat

My brother (Ah Boon) who lives in Segamat took care of all the funeral arrangements. Everything was meticulously executed. Peace and harmony prevailed. Although we have different religions among the many families, we respect each other. All my siblings and their spouses from Singapore, KL, JB, Simpang Renggam returned to attend the wake, except for two brothers-in-law. All nephews and nieces were present except for a few who were away or could not make it.

All in all, a big clan of family members including several great-grandchildren, relatives and friends showed up to pay their last respects. My mum, aged 90, was very composed and took the demise of my dad calmly. She is a strong woman. 

I took the rare occasion to catch up with many family members and also relatives that I had not seen for decades.

Sept/2022

Personal Reflection of Life

A generation goes, and a generation comes,

but the earth remains forever.

The sun rises, and the sun goes down,

and hastens to the place where it rises.

The wind blows to the south

and goes around to the north;

around and around goes the wind,

and on its circuits the wind returns.

All streams run to the sea,

but the sea is not full;

to the place where the streams flow,

there they flow again.

What has been is what will be,

and what has been done is what will be done,

and there is nothing new under the sun.

It has been already

in the ages before us.

There is no remembrance of former things,

nor will there be any remembrance

of later things yet to be

among those who come after.

All are from the dust, and to dust all return

˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜

Quotes from ECCLESIASTES (ESV)