Friday, October 14, 2005
David's Funeral
This morning, the weather was extremely gloomy. Tufts of gray clouds that hung in the air obscured the skyline. I was in the car, on my way to work, when it started to drizzle. I swear there would never be another morning as bleak and as grave as this, and the weather is only a fraction of the real cause.
It was David’s funeral today.
I arrived at the church at about 10 am. It’s one of the few times which I’ve actually been on 0-time. I guess it’s only respectful, as that was probably my last ‘appointment’ with him. In the past, he always had to wait for me, but that never deterred him from picking me up or taking me out whenever I didn’t feel like driving. Sometimes, he’d remind me gently to be on time, but unless we’re really really late for something, he wouldn’t say a word when I burst into the car apologising for having him wait for me.
His sister spoke at the funeral today. My recollection of what she said is a bit fuzzy, as I was standing outside the church, letting my sobs out in Mei Peng’s arm, who was also in tears herself. What I did hear clearly, was that David was someone who cherished his friends a lot, and that was why, they decided to put the balloons which his friends have given him, into the coffin with him. That made us sob even harder, because we knew that David was precisely that sort of person. He treated his friends very well, and he loved us all.
And we in turn, love him, which is why it’s so hard to accept the fact that he’s gone now. I’m still unable to get over the fact that he’s gone, and that I’ve seen him in flesh, for the last time today, when I walked by the coffin to pay my last respect.
After the funeral service, when his coffin was about to be lifted into the waiting van, I took note of my surroundings, and noticed that the sun was shining brightly again. It was as if he was trying to tell us, that the time of mourning is over, and we should go on with our lives in the manner of the sun, that rises each day, no matter what strikes the earth.
Anyway, he always complained that my posts are too long and contain too many bombastic words, and since this will be posted on his blog as well, I will end it here.
I know however, if I’d asked David if I could just post a poem, he’d say,
“Haaai, OK lah…”
Life - Charlotte Bronte
LIFE, believe, is not a dream
So dark as sages say;
Oft a little morning rain
Foretells a pleasant day.
Sometimes there are clouds of gloom,
But these are transient all;
If the shower will make the roses bloom,
O why lament its fall ?
Rapidly, merrily,
Life’s sunny hours flit by,
Gratefully, cheerily,
Enjoy them as they fly !
What though Death at times steps in
And calls our Best away ?
What though sorrow seems to win,
O’er hope, a heavy sway ?
Yet hope again elastic springs,
Unconquered, though she fell;
Still buoyant are her golden wings,
Still strong to bear us well.
Manfully, fearlessly,
The day of trial bear,
For gloriously, victoriously,
Can courage quell despair !
on behalf of
Abby Lu
It was David’s funeral today.
I arrived at the church at about 10 am. It’s one of the few times which I’ve actually been on 0-time. I guess it’s only respectful, as that was probably my last ‘appointment’ with him. In the past, he always had to wait for me, but that never deterred him from picking me up or taking me out whenever I didn’t feel like driving. Sometimes, he’d remind me gently to be on time, but unless we’re really really late for something, he wouldn’t say a word when I burst into the car apologising for having him wait for me.
His sister spoke at the funeral today. My recollection of what she said is a bit fuzzy, as I was standing outside the church, letting my sobs out in Mei Peng’s arm, who was also in tears herself. What I did hear clearly, was that David was someone who cherished his friends a lot, and that was why, they decided to put the balloons which his friends have given him, into the coffin with him. That made us sob even harder, because we knew that David was precisely that sort of person. He treated his friends very well, and he loved us all.
And we in turn, love him, which is why it’s so hard to accept the fact that he’s gone now. I’m still unable to get over the fact that he’s gone, and that I’ve seen him in flesh, for the last time today, when I walked by the coffin to pay my last respect.
After the funeral service, when his coffin was about to be lifted into the waiting van, I took note of my surroundings, and noticed that the sun was shining brightly again. It was as if he was trying to tell us, that the time of mourning is over, and we should go on with our lives in the manner of the sun, that rises each day, no matter what strikes the earth.
Anyway, he always complained that my posts are too long and contain too many bombastic words, and since this will be posted on his blog as well, I will end it here.
I know however, if I’d asked David if I could just post a poem, he’d say,
“Haaai, OK lah…”
Life - Charlotte Bronte
LIFE, believe, is not a dream
So dark as sages say;
Oft a little morning rain
Foretells a pleasant day.
Sometimes there are clouds of gloom,
But these are transient all;
If the shower will make the roses bloom,
O why lament its fall ?
Rapidly, merrily,
Life’s sunny hours flit by,
Gratefully, cheerily,
Enjoy them as they fly !
What though Death at times steps in
And calls our Best away ?
What though sorrow seems to win,
O’er hope, a heavy sway ?
Yet hope again elastic springs,
Unconquered, though she fell;
Still buoyant are her golden wings,
Still strong to bear us well.
Manfully, fearlessly,
The day of trial bear,
For gloriously, victoriously,
Can courage quell despair !
on behalf of
Abby Lu
