The Wake

Gee, what a long day it was yesterday.
White sleeve

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.
Coffee

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.
Wreaths

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.

46 Replies to “The Wake”

  1. 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.

  2. Kopi-O kosong

    Blogger Kenny Sia is in bereavement. The picture of the Kopi-O kosong he serves up his 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…

  3. 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.

  4. Kopi-O kosong

    Blogger Kenny Sia is in bereavement. The picture of the Kopi-O kosong he serves up his 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…

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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.

  9. 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.

  10. 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!

  11. HI Kenny!!! Deepest condolences to u n yur family…i jus found out tat my dads yur dads former schmate…tc n be strong…

  12. 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*

  13. 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…”

  14. 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. =)

  15. 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…

  16. 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.

  17. 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.

  18. 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.

  19. 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? (:

  20. 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? (:

Leave a Reply to ks Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Navigation