Just 16 hours ago, Grandad left this world to join God in heaven. And it's felt like days have passed...
He died of natural causes, and we all knew it was coming.
However, as prepared as one can be of death and the knowledge that Grandad's suffering has ended and is now in a better place, the feeling of lose is still there.
Grandad was a great man, son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grand father. In my eye's he has lived a great life, and achieved so much.
He was a teacher, a strict man with strong values.
He was strong and lived a long life despite being a heavy smoker.
He's traveled the world and met the Pope John Paul II.
He spoke 6 different languages, that talking to him later was quite challenging as he would switch languages when he was sick and we had to repeat our words in all 6 languages to communicate with him.
He was a good looking and well built man, but was loyal and faithful to his wife up till the end. (at times he'd even get jealous when she gave us grandchildren more attention XD)
He was a very disciplined and diligent person. He would wake up at 5am every morning when I was younger, walk to the market with Leo, the dog, buy his daily papers and smokes, get a cup of black coffee, and return home with Ham Jin Peng. He would also carry his rosary in his right pocket where ever he went.
He was a cheerful person and enjoyed sharing his experience and knowledge. I remember him talking to his son-in-laws or us grandchildren about his war time experience and funny stories...I'll always remember his strong, loud and gruffy voice and laugh =)
He also loved singing and humming to himself...I could just picture him whistling now...
I remember going into his room, and he would show me his stamp collection. I remember seeing a piece of paper on his table of all his granchildren's name.
Grandad was still a joker when he was getting frail and old, intentionally or not.
Gong, thank you for all looking after me when I was younger, thank you for letting me look after you the past years. I'm very grateful to have shared some memories with you. I ask that you pray for me, for Granma, your children, and all your grandchildren and great-grand children.
I Love You Granpa.
