Gong Gong's passing

Last Wednesday, after falling asleep while trying to make Thaddaeus sleep, a phone call from my dad woke me up. He told me my grandpa, whom I called Gong Gong, had passed away. The next few hours after the phone call were blur to me. I couldn't remember what happened, but I'm really grateful to my hubby who organised everything, and together with Thad, my mum-in-law and my sis, we drove up to KL. The journey seemed a century to me and we finally arrived at my Gong Gong's house at 5am Thursday morning. I saw Gong Gong lying in the casket, so peaceful as though he was just sleeping. I couldn't help but wept, knowing that he'll not say to me 'dia (short for Lydia, which my family members affectionately call me), dui lai liao ah?' which means 'you are back' in my dialect. My dad hugged me and my sis and we wept. My regret is that I didn't get to go back in time to see him for the last time. But the consolation was that he didn't go through any suffering, though sudden, his passing is as peaceful as sleeping.

Gong Gong was a man faithful to God. Not only that, he made sure his children and grandchildren are faithful to God. His favourite verse was 'As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord'. He has been faithfully serving in the church and in the diocese even long before I was born. Therefore, though I am saddenned by the fact that I'll no longer be able to see him, but at the same time, I'm heartened to know that he is in the arms of our Lord Jesus right now, freed from the worldly matters.

During the funeral service, when I was paying my last respect, carrying Thad in my arms, I reminded myself to take a good look at Gong Gong, because that would be the very last time I'm gonna see him on earth. I also said to Thad, although I doubt he understood, 'That's your great-grandpa'. My dad broke down when he was paying his last respect, and had to be supported by my hubby and cousins. He was visibly grieved and when I hugged him later in the bus which sent us to the cemetry, he told me he was heartbroken to let Gong Gong go despite knowing where he's going - to heaven.

After the funeral, my hubby said something that cheered me up a little. He said, 'Well, Gong Gong can be considered a fortunate man, in a sense that he had a big but loving family, who all (every single one) came back from all over the world, to pay him the last respect. Not everyone is as fortunate.' That's very true, Gong Gong didn't leave behing a mountain of golds or dollars or properties, but he left behind values, values that bind the Lee family together. Most importantly, he left behind the love of God, and an example for us to follow.

I still remember when I was very young, perhaps 3 or 4, my aunt, who is 8 years older, was in primary school. So, being innocent and all, I told my Gong Gong, when I go to primary school, my aunt will be in secondary school; and when I'm in secondary school, my aunt will be in university. And when I'm in university.....at this point, I didn't know what's after university, so I said, wow, Gong Gong, when I'm in university where will you be? Will you still be around?? This was recounted to me by Gong Gong after I graduated from university. He was really happy to see me graduate and was very proud of me. He recounted the story again when I brought Thad back to KL to visit him and PoPo. He told me he not only lived to see me through uni, see me through graduation, but also my wedding and the birth of his great-grandson.





Gong Gong, I miss you. And I believe the rest of the Lee's miss you too. Till we meet again in heaven.