Family

My dad's eldest brother, I call him 'Ah Pek' in Hokkien, passed away yesterday.  He was 69 and had stomach cancer that had spread to other parts of his body. He lived another 16 months after being diagnosed with 4th stage cancer last year. 'Ah Pek' was a really hardworking man, who insisted that he wanted to continue working after the diagnosis.  He would take a bus to work right after his radiotherapy treatments! He'd hardly ever complain about being in pain and endure the sickness quietly.  These are the words I would use to describe him - responsible, hardworking, sacrificial, caring. 

While attending the wake the past two nights, I pondered on many things. I saw how Ah Pek's children - my cousins - gathered and prayed together in the midst of their grief, giving support and love to each other. I saw how the family members were all trying to be strong for one another so that the other person would feel better. I saw my cousins greeting relatives and friends with a brave smile and appreciative words in the midst of their great pain. And Ah Pek's wife even walked over to our car, when we were about to leave, to thank us for some food we bought.  The food is nothing compared to the loss she's facing.  And yet, she thanked us. 

And in pondering all those things, I realised that it is the grieving who need us the most and we must always choose to be with them.... Love is what is what makes family, family.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4