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06 May 2005
The Wake
Gee, what a long day it was yesterday.
A piece of white cloth is pinned onto my sleeve
In between chanting gibberish that is the Buddhist prayers, I'm totally lost when it comes to the customs we have to follow. I'm thankful for the many nice people around helping us out worrying about logistics and ensuring everything goes on smoothly while we're mourning. I'm not the most religious person but saying my prayers certainly helped instill tranquility in the face of tragedy.
Still, watching my father slowly being placed into the casket was the most heart-wrenching thing I have to endure.
Dear papa, here's your coffee the way you like it. Long black, three-quarter glass, no sugar.
I'm awed and overwhelmed by messages of condolences I've received in the virtual world as well as those in real life. It just goes to how much of a great man my father was before his passing and how large a void he had left in everyone's hearts. Wreaths presented to my father by his friends and families came in by the truckloads throughout the day. There's so many flowers in our yard right now we can easily start a business as a florist. Believe it or not, this was only half of everything.
The next day, Kuching experienced a severe flower shortage
Alright, I shall leave this entry short, sweet and unsentimental. I'm amazed I still haven't taken time off blogging completely. I shall reply to comments and e-mails only after everything is over, ok? Don't worry. I still have strength to carry on. At least I think I do.
As for now, another long day awaits. The funeral day.
:: Posted by Kenny at 6:49 AM | Link | Facebook It
:: Categorised as 'Re-discovering Myself'
44 Comments:
Great to see you still have your sense of humour :) Hang in there.
Posted by: SY at 06 May 2005 8:02 AM | Link to comment
=) Take Care,Kenny
Posted by: Audrey at 06 May 2005 8:02 AM | Link to comment
Hi Kenny,
Glad to know you're keeping your chins up. Be strong and stay well dude. Take care now ^_^
Posted by: bing at 06 May 2005 8:38 AM | Link to comment
hi kenny. do take care.
Posted by: cass at 06 May 2005 8:45 AM | Link to comment
be strong for the family.
Posted by: chrissiee at 06 May 2005 9:28 AM | Link to comment
dear kenny, please take good care of yourself. yes prayers will make you strong, later you might want to learn how to meditate. it's the best way you can to find peace within yourself.
Posted by: minishorts at 06 May 2005 9:33 AM | Link to comment
Memories keep the one you loved
close to you in spirit and thought
and always in your heart,
today and forever.
Thinking of you with sympathy
Posted by: dementedchic at 06 May 2005 9:46 AM | Link to comment
My condolences to you and your family.
Take care.
:)
Posted by: Nick at 06 May 2005 9:47 AM | Link to comment
May the memories held deep within your heart help tp soothe your spirit at this difficult time.
You're in my prayers
Posted by: dementedchic at 06 May 2005 9:59 AM | Link to comment
wow, that is A LOT of flowers.
Posted by: yo at 06 May 2005 10:15 AM | Link to comment
I detect a hint of humour in your post. :)
I believe you will come back as a stronger and better Kenny very soon.
Posted by: h.liew at 06 May 2005 10:37 AM | Link to comment
Hugs, thinking of u
Posted by: SM at 06 May 2005 10:46 AM | Link to comment
Dear Kenny,
The picture of the Kopi-O kosong you serve up your dad during the wake is heart-rendering for anyone who has gone through it. That's the affinity of love in the truest sense.
Losing someone dear is always painful, and you have just gone through your most difficult 25 hours. But I am sure you know that your dad is now entering his Pure Land of Eternal Bliss, and that should be comforting for you and your dear ones.
My heartfelt condolences, to Kenny and everyone at home.
Posted by: Jeff Ooi at 06 May 2005 12:09 PM | Link to comment
glad to know that you are holding on and keeping strong.
i know what you are going through as i too lost my father in about the same way you do. i was right beside my dad and experienced his last breath, and yes it was very heart-breaking seeing him lying in the coffin and especially so when he was buried.
your father was a very special person and loved by so many people, evident by the many flowers your family received. that is something to be very proud of.
Posted by: lucia at 06 May 2005 12:48 PM | Link to comment
wow....that's a lot of flowers! your yard must smell really nice right now. do take care of yourself and your family....and we'll be thinking of all of you over here.
Posted by: Justina at 06 May 2005 12:57 PM | Link to comment
Sorry to hear about your lost. :( just shout if you need anything from us...
take care.
Posted by: Rodney at 06 May 2005 1:04 PM | Link to comment
Heartfelt condolences.
Posted by: bayibhyap at 06 May 2005 1:35 PM | Link to comment
Glad to hear that you are still with us. Take good care of your hygiene.
Posted by: NSDS3HvLDjJd at 06 May 2005 2:22 PM | Link to comment
It's nice to read that your father was a man that was liked by many and a good father too. Someone that you could look up too. The same cannot be said of my father though. If the same thing were to happen to him, I don't think I'll be as sad. Take pride, be honoured as well as feel lucky to have such a father.
Posted by: lex at 06 May 2005 3:16 PM | Link to comment
*Hugs*
Posted by: Aggie at 06 May 2005 3:20 PM | Link to comment
Kenny,
I'm sorry to hear the loss of your dad. I know exactly how you feel, although I was only 8 yrs old when I lost my dad. It is tougher for grown ups to handle such a loss, but remember grown-ups are tougher. So stay strong.
Posted by: Ben at 06 May 2005 3:56 PM | Link to comment
Dear Kenny, my heartfelt condolences to you and your family. Shock me a lot today after I came back from my holidays.
Please take a good care of yourself beside try to be strong. *hug*
Dun have to force yourself to write funny thing, when you dun feel like.
Posted by: fish fish at 06 May 2005 5:07 PM | Link to comment
Well.....everyone dies at one point of time. But it takes a great person for many people to mourn at his funeral. I hope that the same can happen to me when I die.
Posted by: suspiciousbastard at 06 May 2005 5:14 PM | Link to comment
My prayers for you, your family and your late dad.
Posted by: vkii at 06 May 2005 9:26 PM | Link to comment
My prayers for you, your family and your late dad.
Posted by: vkii at 06 May 2005 9:27 PM | Link to comment
After 10 years I can hardly remember what sort of drink my dad likes. It's amazing that even though he just gone out of sudden, I can clearly remember what he had done the day before he fell. And now, nearly 10 years, I still miss him as much as that day.
Be strong, for your family. That's what in my mind during the hard time, which makes a 14-year-old boy behaved strongly without dropping a tear during the wake and the funeral. But I cried terribly after that. Ha...
Take care dude!
Posted by: shao bin at 06 May 2005 10:26 PM | Link to comment
Be strong man...
Posted by: Cedric at 06 May 2005 11:53 PM | Link to comment
We will wait for your return .....
Posted by: wingz at 07 May 2005 12:18 AM | Link to comment
My deepest condolences to you and your family.
Posted by: ks at 07 May 2005 12:18 AM | Link to comment
HI Kenny!!! Deepest condolences to u n yur family...i jus found out tat my dads yur dads former schmate...tc n be strong...
Posted by: flint at 07 May 2005 12:58 AM | Link to comment
okay THATS a lot of flowers
Posted by: water_junk at 07 May 2005 1:39 AM | Link to comment
I'm glad to see that you're holding up... There's nothing I can say that will make you feel better. I know that cuz I've been through it... Time will heal everything... The presence of your dad will always linger on... Look at it this way, he's not in pain or suffering now... Released from all that...
Take care... *HUGSSSS*
Posted by: annabella at 07 May 2005 3:43 AM | Link to comment
It is a traumatic and painful experience to watch someone so close to you pass on, especially with such a painful and progressive disease as cancer. My thoughts go out to you and your family, Kenny. I'm sure your dad is very proud of his children whom he has raised, and that includes you. May you and your siblings be a pillar of strength for your family in this difficult time.
"He lives in the hearts and memories of all those he touched, because through it all, love remains..."
Posted by: KS at 07 May 2005 4:18 AM | Link to comment
be tough okie?
my prayers to u and ur family..
Posted by: bubbles at 07 May 2005 9:59 AM | Link to comment
hang in there, kenny. =) i know you are very strong to face all of these. i just read de entry bout yer dad. very beautiful. yer dad is turly inspirational icon whom i look up to.
my prayers for u and deepest condolences to you and yer family. and an imaginary bouquet to fill up yer yard. hehehehe. smile,kenny. =)
Posted by: thunderfoxy at 07 May 2005 10:15 AM | Link to comment
Ho..all those flowers!Yes, kuching shall be not be seeing any flowers/blossoms for awhile. Be strong ya?I'm still praying over you and family.You all will get through this together...
Posted by: hankyo at 07 May 2005 11:35 AM | Link to comment
it was shocking to find ur entries after a few days of absence.
Hope ure holding up ok.. as ok as can be expected..
im not one to feel for funerals, but its been touching n saddening reading about wat ure going thru n all the comments too..
best wishes kenny..
n Tats ALOT of flowers.. ur dad must have been a truly amazing man.
Posted by: Allyssa at 07 May 2005 12:52 PM | Link to comment
it was shocking to find ur entries after a few days of absence.
Hope ure holding up ok.. as ok as can be expected..
im not one to feel for funerals, but its been touching n saddening reading about wat ure going thru n all the comments too..
best wishes kenny..
n Tats ALOT of flowers.. ur dad must have been a truly amazing man.
Posted by: Allyssa at 07 May 2005 12:55 PM | Link to comment
You are your father's transcendence of death. my condolescences for you and your family.
Posted by: Franky at 07 May 2005 1:48 PM | Link to comment
heartfelt condolences. hold strong, kenny.
Posted by: beckie at 07 May 2005 1:54 PM | Link to comment
My friend, I cannot begin to comprehend how you must feel right now. I cannot begin to understand what you must be going through. But, you have stayed so strong, and I find nothing more admirable than the way you have dealt with the situation: more than a mere soldier, but a commander. Your family must be so proud of this show of strength, because you are strong. You have our support Kenny. Take care.
Posted by: Bek at 07 May 2005 10:41 PM | Link to comment
please accept my deepest condolences. take good care of ur family and urself. *hugs*
Yoshiko
Posted by: I'm A Chicken With No Name. BWAK BWAK BWAK! at 10 May 2005 12:28 AM | Link to comment
my deepest condolences to you and your family. i lost my grandad a few years ago too. i know how it feels like. so stay stong. ur'e not alone yah? (:
Posted by: I'm A Chicken With No Name. BWAK BWAK BWAK! at 03 June 2005 10:24 PM | Link to comment
my deepest condolences to you and your family. i lost my grandad a few years ago too. i know how it feels like. so stay stong. ur'e not alone yah? (:
Posted by: I'm A Chicken With No Name. BWAK BWAK BWAK! at 03 June 2005 10:24 PM | Link to comment
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