Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Silent Years
Two years have passed silently by
It still hurts to think that you're not here
Fond memories are but poor companions
Yet it's all we have for another year
Having you here had always been fun
Your presence our hearts would gladly cheer
While you now tread in heavenly bliss
Here we walk with an unseen tear
You may have left us for a while
Yet in our hearts you remain ever near,
Cherished and loved forever
By the ones that you hold dear
Missing you always,
Mark
Melissa, Pamela & Darren
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Torn in Two
The moment that you died
my heart was torn in two,
one side filled with heartache,
the other died with you.
I often lie awake at night,
when the world is fast asleep,
and take a walk down memory lane,
with tears upon my cheeks.
Remembering you is easy,
I do it everyday,
but missing you is heartache
that never goes away.
I hold you tightly within my heart
and there you will remain.
(author unknown)
Remembering you always
MT
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Meanwhile....back on earth
This was an article that I read recently.
Meanwhile, Back on Earth . .
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” John 14:1-3, NIV
This month marks twenty years since my dad went to be with the Lord.I’ve been thinking about him a lot lately and wondering what life would have been like these past two decades had he still been living on earth.
When he left here for “home,” I was just starting out in my career and I was still very much like who I am today: friendly, talkative, head-strong, independent, truth-seeking and bluntly honest.I wonder if he would be proud of who I have become and the choices I have made in my life. I hope so. Our fathers play such important roles in our lives, whether we’re sons or daughters. They set the example, they can either buoy or crush our spirits, and they either undergird our lives with love, instruction and understanding or are distant and uninvolved.But thankfully, I had a father who always let me know I was the apple of his eye. We had our own inside jokes, enjoyed talking about life together and always found unconditional support and love with one another.
My dad was interested in me and was amused by me and my quirky antics. I will always cherish knowing that I was valued and adored in our earthly father-daughter relationship.Because of that, it’s still hard for me to see a father and a young daughter together today, walking hand in hand or sharing a laugh or a special moment with each other.
There are also certain movies I cannot watch because of the sweet father-daughter relationships depicted therein. It just hits too close to home.
Thankfully, since I’ve loved and lost, I can definitely identify with anyone else who grieves someone precious and dear. That’s one blessing the Lord has given me over the years when I’ve been sad and have seen that I can still reach out to others through my tears. It’s a reminder to me that we were made not only to seek relationship with the Father, but with others here on earth.
If you are missing someone, I hope you will consider Jesus’ words to his disciples in today’s verse found in John 14:1-3. He wanted to remind his closest, dearest friends that life on earth was not “it” in terms of the grand scheme of things, and that he was preparing something much more glorious and special for his own.
He wanted them not to be troubled because of his separation from them.After he was gone, he wanted them to continue living rich, full lives by telling others about him and spreading the word that one day we will be reunited with him in our heavenly home (Matt. 28:16-20).
I can imagine my earthly father reminding me of this very same thing if he could come back and give me a message today.No matter our circumstances, you and I are still here for a purpose. And our heavenly father wants us to continue making the most of our lives while living for him “meanwhile, back on earth” (2 Peter 3:11-12).
.Laura MacCorkle, Crosswalk.com Senior Editor
Meanwhile on earth ...... What do we do? I think this is a very significant and pertinent question that faces those of us who may have lost someone whom we dearly love. What do you do on earth while we wait to be reunited with those that we love, whether it be our Lord or our family members. Like this story, I guess that we should not just stop living but continue to live rich and fulfilled lives in the remaining days that God has given us. That would have been what they would have wanted us to do despite the temporary pain and separation that we feel. That would be the right response to the "Meanwhile......"
MT
12 January 2012
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Reflections in the Rain
I'm standing in the shop caught in the rain and unable to get out due to the heavy downpour. I reach for my phone to retrieve some reading materials that I had kept away to pass the time while waiting for the rain to stop. This article caught my eyes.
YESTERDAY'S GRIEF
The rain that fell a-yesterday is ruby on the roses,
Silver on the poplar leaf, and gold on willow stem;
The grief that chanced a-yesterday is silence that incloses
Holy loves when time and change shall never trouble them.
The rain that fell a-yesterday makes all the hillsides glisten,
Coral on the laurel and beryl on the grass;
The grief that chanced a-yesterday has taught the soul to listen
For whispers of eternity in all the winds that pass.
O faint-of-heart, storm-beaten, this rain will gleam tomorrow,
Flame within the columbine and jewels on the thorn,
Heaven in the forget-me-not; though sorrow now be sorrow,
Yet sorrow shall be, beauty in the magic of the morn.
--Katherine Lee Bates
Streams in the Desert
10 May 2011
Being caught in the rain, hemmed in and unable to get out. Yesterday's grief seems to be like this rain. We stay huddled waiting for the storm to pass. Soon it will pass, and we will breathe fresh again. The flowers will once again look crisp and new. The fields will look lush and green once more.
MT
15 November 2011
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
YESTERDAY'S GRIEF
The rain that fell a-yesterday is ruby on the roses,
Silver on the poplar leaf, and gold on willow stem;
The grief that chanced a-yesterday is silence that incloses
Holy loves when time and change shall never trouble them.
The rain that fell a-yesterday makes all the hillsides glisten,
Coral on the laurel and beryl on the grass;
The grief that chanced a-yesterday has taught the soul to listen
For whispers of eternity in all the winds that pass.
O faint-of-heart, storm-beaten, this rain will gleam tomorrow,
Flame within the columbine and jewels on the thorn,
Heaven in the forget-me-not; though sorrow now be sorrow,
Yet sorrow shall be, beauty in the magic of the morn.
--Katherine Lee Bates
Streams in the Desert
10 May 2011
Being caught in the rain, hemmed in and unable to get out. Yesterday's grief seems to be like this rain. We stay huddled waiting for the storm to pass. Soon it will pass, and we will breathe fresh again. The flowers will once again look crisp and new. The fields will look lush and green once more.
MT
15 November 2011
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Devastated by Death
Hi, I'm back with a new posting on this blog after a long break. I've been catching up on my travels the last two months. Here's an article from Max Lucado who writes thought provoking views:
MT
Devastated by Death
The following is a one of 172 questions and answers from the new book, Max on Life.
The seven-year-old son of our neighbors died last week. They are devastated. So are we. What can we tell them?
God is a good God. We must begin here. Though we don’t understand his actions, we can trust his heart.
God does only what is good. But how can death be good? Some mourners don’t ask this question. When the quantity of years has outstripped the quality of years, we don’t ask how death can be good.
But the father of the dead teenager does. The widow of the young soldier does. The parents of a seven-year-old do. How could death be good?
Part of the answer may be found in Isaiah 57:1–2: “Good people are taken away, but no one understands. Those who do right are being taken away from evil and are given peace. Those who live as God wants find rest in death” (NCV).
Death is God’s way of taking people away from evil. From what kind of evil? An extended disease? An addiction? A dark season of rebellion? We don’t know. But we know that no person lives one day more or less than God intends. “All the days planned for me were written in your book before I was one day old” (Ps. 139:16 NCV).
But her days here were so few . . .
His life was so brief . . .
To us it seems that way. We speak of a short life, but compared to eternity, who has a long one? A person’s days on earth may appear as a drop in the ocean. Yours and mine may seem like a thimbleful. But compared to the Pacific of eternity, even the years of Methuselah filled no more than a glass. James was not speaking just to the young when he said, “Your life is like a mist. You can see it for a short time, but then it goes away”
(James 4:14 NCV).
In God’s plan every life is long enough and every death is timely. And though you and I might wish for a longer life, God knows better.
And—this is important—though you and I may wish a longer life for our loved ones, they don’t. Ironically, the first to accept God’s decision of death is the one who dies.
While we are shaking heads in disbelief, they are lifting hands in worship. While we are mourning at a grave, they are marveling at heaven. While we are questioning God, they are praising God.
Max Lucado
Friday, June 17, 2011
MT 27 September 2011
Devastated by Death
The following is a one of 172 questions and answers from the new book, Max on Life.
The seven-year-old son of our neighbors died last week. They are devastated. So are we. What can we tell them?
God is a good God. We must begin here. Though we don’t understand his actions, we can trust his heart.
God does only what is good. But how can death be good? Some mourners don’t ask this question. When the quantity of years has outstripped the quality of years, we don’t ask how death can be good.
But the father of the dead teenager does. The widow of the young soldier does. The parents of a seven-year-old do. How could death be good?
Part of the answer may be found in Isaiah 57:1–2: “Good people are taken away, but no one understands. Those who do right are being taken away from evil and are given peace. Those who live as God wants find rest in death” (NCV).
Death is God’s way of taking people away from evil. From what kind of evil? An extended disease? An addiction? A dark season of rebellion? We don’t know. But we know that no person lives one day more or less than God intends. “All the days planned for me were written in your book before I was one day old” (Ps. 139:16 NCV).
But her days here were so few . . .
His life was so brief . . .
To us it seems that way. We speak of a short life, but compared to eternity, who has a long one? A person’s days on earth may appear as a drop in the ocean. Yours and mine may seem like a thimbleful. But compared to the Pacific of eternity, even the years of Methuselah filled no more than a glass. James was not speaking just to the young when he said, “Your life is like a mist. You can see it for a short time, but then it goes away”
(James 4:14 NCV).
In God’s plan every life is long enough and every death is timely. And though you and I might wish for a longer life, God knows better.
And—this is important—though you and I may wish a longer life for our loved ones, they don’t. Ironically, the first to accept God’s decision of death is the one who dies.
While we are shaking heads in disbelief, they are lifting hands in worship. While we are mourning at a grave, they are marveling at heaven. While we are questioning God, they are praising God.
Max Lucado
Friday, June 17, 2011
MT 27 September 2011
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Shattered Glass
Shattered Glass
Once we could see with perfect vision
Our view of the world through the windows of our heart
Each scene framed with impeccable clarity
Its different shades and shapes we could tell apart
Crack! The sound of fractured lines appearing on the crystal clear glass
From whence they come, no one knows
Disappointments that impinge upon our soul
Are stone-like encounters thrown upon those windows
Each stone inflicts an insidious mark
A chip here, a hairline crack there,
Over time what we see is a shattered glass
The world now with all its imperfections before us laid bare
Faith, hope and love...?
From which the glass is skillfully made with care
Precious and fragile elements
Easily shattered beyond repair.
Aren't they through which the world we see?
The eyes of faith, the eyes of hope, and the eyes of love?
The world appeared much better then
With these three graces sent from heaven above
Without faith, one can wax cynical
Without hope, one gets mired in despair
Without love, life loses its meaning
All of them we need, till heaven's shores we get there.
How different our view of God suddenly becomes,
Seeing God through our disappointments, hurts and pains
We frantically search for the piece that offers the best view
We've lost that big unobstructed pane
The more of the cracks we see upon that window
The less of God we see in our world
Our views fragmented, our theology shredded,
The reality of the world before us unfurled.
Somehow the imperfect vision is now with us
But we know when the perfect is come
We shall see Him as He is, face to face
We will no longer see in part, but the sum.
MT
30 July 2011
Monday, July 18, 2011
He Defeated Death
Here's an article I came across sometime ago this Easter, which I kept in my file for later posting on this blog. It does give us something to think about regarding end of life issues that are seldom talked about but yet these issues are something that we will quite likely be struggling with.
He Defeated Death
Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." Now none of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead. (John 21: 12 - 14)
Recently, my husband and I attended a forum to discuss the increasingly controversial issues surrounding end of life decisions. The event was intended to approach the topic from a Christian worldview, drawing on the Christian teachings of the dignity of human life.
Most of us came expecting experts to delve into the ways we can ethically preserve a person's life in a culture all too quick to promote what Pope John Paul II coined "the culture of death." This aspect of end-of-life issues is a very important one, and it was discussed at length. But before we got to those topics, a local trauma surgeon gave the first talk. And her words sunk in deeply with the entire room.
She highlighted the reality that death is part of human life, and when it's a person's time, it's okay to die. She offered ways families can come to recognize - and find peace - when that time comes.
I can't lie - these words were hard to hear even though we all, deep down, know we are mere mortals. Nobody wants to die. Nobody wants to think about death. It is strangely easier to discuss heavy issues such as battling diseases or unethical procedures than to discuss the need to accept natural death.
Undoubtedly, part of our hesitancy to discuss the topic is fueled by our own sense of self-preservation and fear of loss. But I also think the topic is difficult because as Christians we celebrate life - and rightly so. We are people of hope, people who cherish the gift of life and the blessings that come with it. For centuries, Christians have been among the first to defend life and promote the dignity of even the tiniest, most fragile person.
But the trauma surgeon's talk about preparing for natural death does not run contrary to being people of hope. She spoke these words in light of our true hope: Jesus Christ. She highlighted that while we should not prematurely end our earthly lives - because, yes this life is a gift - there is eternal life with Jesus Christ awaiting those who believe. Our time here is a time of preparation for the fullness of life in Christ. She said (to paraphrase), "Natural death of a loved one or even our own is the time we are called to put into practice that faith we've developed year after year as church attendees, deepening our relationship with the Lord."
During this Easter week, we celebrate the resurrection of the risen Christ. Jesus Christ faced all the loneliness, pain, and fear that comes with death and conquered it. And as we read the Easter scriptures, we see that he did not disappear or abandon his disciples after the resurrection, but walked among them in his glorified state to offer further hope and instruction. So now, as we celebrate this profound moment in salvation history, we must ask ourselves: Do we truly believe He has conquered death and will never abandon us? As Christians, we can say yes with confidence.
April 29, 2011
by Sarah Phillips, Crosswalk.com Family Editor
The struggle has always been between letting go and holding on, isn't it? How we need God's insight to make the right choices when the time comes.
MT
18 July 2011
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Koibito-yo My Love
KOIBITOYO 恋人よ
Kareha chiru yugure wa
枯れは 散る 夕暮れ は
Autumn leaves falling at dusk
Kuru hi no samusa o mono gatari
来る 日の 寒さをものがたり
Show signs of the approaching cold
Ame ni kowareta benchi ni wa
雨に 壊れた ベンチには
On this bench broken by the rain
Ai o sasayaku uta mo nai
愛を 囁く 歌 もない
There are no whispers of love songs
Chorus:
*koibito yo sobani ite
恋人よ そばにいて
My dearest love, please stay with me,
Kogoeru watashi no soba ni ite yo
凍える 私 の そばにいてよ
It’s freezing cold, please stay with me
Soshite hitokoto
そして 一言
Then say a word to me
Kono wakare banashi ga
この 別れ ばなしが
That this parting story
Jodan dayo to Waratte hoshii
冗談 だよと 笑って 欲しい
Was a joke that we can laugh about
Jarimichi o kakeashi de
砂利道 を 駆け足で
On the pebbled street running
Marason hito ga yuki sugiru
マラソン 人が 行き 過ぎる
A marathon jogger passing by
Marude bokyaku nozomu yoni
まるで 忘却 の ぞむ ように
As if he wants me to forget
Tomaru watashi o sasotte iru
止まる 私 を 誘っている
He stopped and is urging me
Koibito yo sayonara
恋人 よ さようなら
My dearest love, farewell
Kisetsu wa megutte kuru kedo
季節 は めぐって 来る けど
Seasons go around though
Ano hi no futari yoi no nagareboshi
あの日の 二人 宵 の 流れ星
Those days the two of us like the evening shooting stars
Hikatte wa kieru mujo no yume yo
光っては 消える 無 じょお の 夢 よ
Shining and then disappearing like passing dreams
Koibito yo sobani ite
恋人よ そばにいて
My dearest love, please stay with me,
Kogoeru watashi no soba ni ite yo
凍える 私 の そばにいてよ
It’s freezing cold, please stay with me
Soshite hitokoto
そして 一言
Then say a word to me
Kono wakare banashi ga
この 別れ ばなしが
That this parting story
Jodan dayo to Waratte hoshii
冗談 だよと 笑って 欲しい
Was a joke that we can laugh about
by MAYUMI ITSUWA
MT
Memorial Dinner, 7 May 2011
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
To Where You Are
To Where You Are
Who can say for certain, maybe you're still here,
I feel you all around me, your memories so clear,
Deep in the stillness, I can hear you speak,
You're still an inspiration, can it be?
That you are mine, forever love,
And you are watching over me from up above,
Fly me up to where you are beyond the distant star,
I wish upon tonight to see you smile,
If only for a while to know you're there,
A breath away's not far to where you are.
Are you gently sleeping, here inside my dream,
And isn't faith believing, all power can't be seen,
And as my heart holds you, just one beat away,
I cherish all you gave me, everyday.
For you are mine, forever love,
Watching me, from up above,
And I believe, that angels breathe,
And that love will live on and never leave.
Fly me up to where you are beyond the distant star,
I wish upon tonight to see you smile,
If only for a while to know you're there,
A breath away's not far to where you are,
I know you're there,
A breath away's not far to where you are.
Song by
Josh Groban
Kathryn's Memorial Dinner
7 May 2011.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
To What Purpose was this Waste?
Matthew 26:8
The disciples asked Jesus, ‘For what purpose is all this waste?’ at the sight of the woman with the alabaster box pouring out all its contents that were precious to her and that she had been saving up all her life for her day of marriage.
The disciples asked Jesus, ‘For what purpose is all this waste?’ at the sight of the woman with the alabaster box pouring out all its contents that were precious to her and that she had been saving up all her life for her day of marriage.
A graduating bible college student weds his fiancée as they both start out on a promising life as missionaries to the unreached tribes of Kalimantan. Before they could begin on their mission, they are killed in a tragic car accident while returning home from a speaking engagement in one of the local churches.
An active lay leader serving on the worship team and actively helps out in the church’s programme for the handicapped and orphaned children for many years suddenly dies of a heart attack while taking the children on an outing and picnic.
A Korean tent-maker working among the refugee camps of Africa serving as a medical support personnel showing the love and mercy of God to a people that hardly knew or heard of the name of Jesus, is suddenly decapitated and his body mutilated by terrorists.
A missionary couple serving in India for many years reaching out to those afflicted by leprosy. The husband and their young son suddenly finds themselves surrounded by religious fanatics and gets burnt alive in the car he was travelling in.
Or what about a man by the name of John who had spent his early ministry years preaching repentance as a voice in the wilderness waiting in prison and finally ends up having his head delivered on a platter, much to the dismay and chagrin of the rest of his followers who had been praying for his release.
'What purpose is all this waste?’ Isn’t this the same question we pose ourselves and God when we see lives seemingly ended prematurely by some inexplicable act or tragic moment? Whether it is losing someone we know and cherish dearly or hearing the loss of someone who had much potential for the work of God, situations like these always trigger the same kind of question. Beyond a personal loss to the families of those who lost their lives, isn’t it also a loss to the kingdom and purposes of God? We find ourselves in the same shoes as the disciples because we do not and cannot see the situation from God’s perspective. Not now, anyway. Can we fault the disciples for asking that question?
“Listen carefully: Unless a grain of wheat is buried in the ground, dead to the world, it is never more than a grain of wheat. But if it is buried, it sprouts and reproduces itself many times over” John 12:24 The Message. We look at this passage, and ask, ‘does it need to involve actual physical death?’ Can’t it refer to death of our personal ambition, our pride, our selfishness, for the corn of wheat to bear much fruit? Which of the above does this passage apply to? The answer I guess is, “all of the above’. Jesus knew what he was talking about, for him to fulfill God’s purpose of redemption for man, he had to die. Our mission in life goes beyond our life, it lives beyond death like the Master.
What is the conclusion? This is what Jesus’ take on this story of the woman with the alabaster box was, “I assure you: Wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told in memory of her” Matt 26:13 HCSB.
MT
16 May 2011
Saturday, May 14, 2011
One Day at a Time
When I was planning for this memorial dinner, I asked myself why would I want to do this and what my response would be to questions in people's minds as to why do we want to revisit the past pain and grief?Firstly, I wanted to use this occasion to express my personal thanks to all of those who have played an important role in our lives over the last years. On top of that it is to recognise and honour the woman that God gave to be my helpmate for the past 25 years.
Kathryn has been God's gift to me and my family. Those of you who know my personal story, the period of her illness coincided with another challenging period in my life in which I was faced with a company dispute and a court battle. She stood with me through the entire time always encouraging me to keep trusting the Lord for his deliverance from this case. She was my constant prayer partner and intercessor. Thank the Lord just recently, we have been cleared of the court case.
We just celebrated Easter. Easter speaks of Jesus power over death.
I often think about Jesus' miracle in the raising of Lazarus. I think the greater message is not that Lazarus was raised back to life but in that Jesus had the power over death. And because of that we shall also be raised together with him. Because he is the resurrection and the life, we can have the assurance that we shall be raised up with him.
However, having the confidence that Kathryn is with the Lord right now and having the hope that we shall one day meet again does not lessen the pain and the grief that we feel. We feel just as devastated as anyone else would be. What is the picture of grief? Sometimes, it is not only the one who is in sackcloth and ashes but also the one who may be smiling and appearing to act normally as well.
This memorial dinner also gives me an opportunity to answer some of the unasked questions that you like myself would have concerning about someone who is grieving over the loss of a dear one. Sometimes we feel uncertain how to bring up such matters and so we keep them in our minds and our hearts.
How have we been coping individually and as a family? What has happened since?
Well, life has simply got a bit more complicated. Trying to cope with a life that doesn't conform to the usual 'happy ever after' endings is challenging. You try to manage the twists and turns in life and yet try to experience God's grace in a season of wilderness. It's like learning to find meaning in the midst of grief, finding joy in the midst of sadness.
Thank the Lord for three wonderful children who have been patient with their father as he copes with managing the new situation. God has been very gracious to them.
I was hoping to be able to complete a book on Kathryn's life in time to share it with you at this memorial dinner. However, it has been a challenge trying to stay on top of things while managing the day to day responsibilities. I will let you know once it is completed.
Thank you to those of you who walk the journey with us by following the blog that I write regarding my journey. Needless to say, the journey is still continuing and we can only trust God to lead us one step at a time, one day at a time.
MT
1st Anniversary Memorial Dinner
7 May 2011
Monday, May 9, 2011
A Celebration of Life
Memorial Dinner for Kathryn:
7 May 2011
A Celebration of Life
We had a memorial dinner at the Ee Chinese Cuisine at Eastin Hotel, Petaling Jaya, on 7 May 2011 for family members and close friends. It was an occasion to remember Kathryn as well as for me to thank all those who have been special to our family during the recent years.
We shared some glimpses of Kathryn's life through a slideshow entitled, ‘A Celebration of Life’.
Many of you have known Kathryn for ages and some over a lifetime. There are many others who could not be with us that night but were with us in spirit.
A Word of Appreciation:
A special mention to those were away overseas but made special effort to come: Derrick and Lay Wun who came all the way from Jakarta to attend this memorial dinner and my neighbor Ong, who just arrived from Casablanca.
First of all, our thanks to our God for his grace and strength that has sustained us through the past year. Thank the Lord for the wonderful years that I've shared with the wife that he had given. I’ve got my three wonderful children who had to patiently put up with their father as he struggled through the past year coping with the challenges of being a single parent. My special thanks to the following people who have been special to us:
Kathryn’s Parents:
Thank the Lord for my parents in law for raising up their daughter into the wonderful Kathryn that I fell in love with and got married to. I appreciate my mother in law for being the wonderful friend to Kathryn.
Mark’s Parents:
My thanks to my own parents and siblings for quietly standing with us all these years. My parents have been wonderful parents to me and wonderful parents-in-law to Kathryn.
Cell Members for the unfailing support given to us throughout all these years both when Kathryn was well but especially during the times when she was not. We remember the various cell outings that we had together plus Kathryn's 50th Birthday party that you helped put together that now become precious memories that we cherish. You were there offering your moral and prayer support during the time she was in hospital.
The Overcomers Group that Kathryn grew up together with during her teenage years and enjoyed those times of learning Christian principles. You kept in touch although many of you are now located in other parts of the world.
The Assuntarians Class of 75 who came together in the last few years. Thank you for arranging the ‘wild’ parties in your reunion get togethers that Kathryn told me about. Your belly dancing sessions for the 50 somethings have found their way into my blog.
Lai Yoong & Jenny Chua for taking time last year to put together some meals for Kathryn. We had good times together more than 25 years ago even when we were all starting out as young married couples settling into our first houses then.
William & Jane Wong in Australia: for the times we went on a double date during our respective courtship days in the mid-80’s together during those days. You have been a great friend to us.
Lilian Jansen in Singapore who would have been with us tonight if not for the Singapore General Elections which was held today. Lilian walked all the way from her house in USJ 3 to SS 19 even when she was without transport just to buy foodstuffs to prepare a special meal for Kathryn when she heard that Kathryn did not have much appetite to eat. It is small acts like these that show us what wonderful and supportive friends we have.
Mabel, Kathryn’s cousin in Singapore, who supported us and visited us as often as she could when she learnt that Kathryn was not well. Despite her obligations in her church in Singapore where she pastors, she somehow made a special effort to visit Kathryn and stayed with us to lend a helping hand.
Beng Choo our neighbour, in the times of our need and crisis you were always there to lend a hand. Beng Choo helped to ferry my children from school and tuition classes and doing marketing of daily provisions when we were unable to do so.
Fee Lin who skilfully put together flowers in a beautiful bouquet for others not knowing that those flowers are often a reflection of the inner beauty you have in your heart. You have a heart of gold. Kathryn and I have been wonderfully blessed by the jokes that you frequently sent by sms that would often cause her to break out in cackles of laughter. Thank you for your thoughtfulness over the children.
Lillian Cheah for showing us around the various doctors and clinics when we needed medical consultation despite your own needs.
Jenny Cheam for helping to run errands for us and accompanying Kathryn to the hospital for check-ups and treatment. Kathryn really enjoyed those times you went out shopping and ‘lepaking’ together. We remember the many trips that our families made together - to Australia in 2004, to Bali, to Langkawi in 2009, as well as those many trips we made together with the cell
Amy & Stewart: Amy for being there for Kathryn and making her feel at home in Klang when we first got married. Both of you were not from GT Klang then. Stewart for being a friend all these years. I remember the joys of being first time parents when your Irvin and our Melissa were born during the early years. One of the memorable times Kathryn and I have was the trip to New Zealand in 1990 when we visited you in Auckland.
Margaret & Alex Raj for being our dearest friends all these more than thirty years and for Alex more than 45 years. I remember the ten sen coin that you spared me when my last coin ran out at the public phone during an important phone call to Kathryn when we were fixing up a date. I would like to think that that coin made a difference to our budding courtship thirty years ago.
Margaret Tan and Kang Hoe who have been a great source of strength and encouragement to Kathryn and me all these years. Margaret, for coming over to our home with worship CDs and Bible study lessons and coming by every other day with double boiled soup for Kathryn. Not mentioning the countless meals and sweet fellowship we have had together. We have been much blessed by your friendship and generous spirit.
Agi Hoh who has been a gracious friend, a tower of strength and encouragement to Kathryn and myself throughout all these years particularly during the past recent years when Kathryn faced the most critical challenge in her life. You have been our tireless and faithful prayer partner and counselor. You stood with Kathryn at the most difficult moments.
Poh Keat and Beng Choo: Beyond being a colleague and boss to Kathryn, you have become a friend that she looked up to and respected even long after she left the firm. Thank you for coming by with Chui En and Kay Cheng to pray for her and to show your love and support even though I had to restrict the visiting times and say no several times because Kathryn's condition did not permit it.
Mona & George, my sister in law and her husband for their support and fellowship. We have grown much more closer in the last year and you got to know your brother in law a little bit more better.
Betty, my sister who took special effort to come by and stay with us once a week when she could so that our home would still have a woman's touch. She knew that her kid brother could always do with some help. Somehow the children would always be at their better behaviour when she is around.
Philip and Steven, my brothers, for looking after the business when I was not able to, so that I could look after Kathryn.
Ladies, those of you would come by our home and have become special aunties to my children. You have become very special to the children.
And for all of you who are here as well as those not here with us, time and space do not permit me to mention all that you have been to our family. Thank you and hope you have a wonderful evening.
MT
7 May 2011
7 May 2011
A Celebration of Life
We had a memorial dinner at the Ee Chinese Cuisine at Eastin Hotel, Petaling Jaya, on 7 May 2011 for family members and close friends. It was an occasion to remember Kathryn as well as for me to thank all those who have been special to our family during the recent years.
We shared some glimpses of Kathryn's life through a slideshow entitled, ‘A Celebration of Life’.
Many of you have known Kathryn for ages and some over a lifetime. There are many others who could not be with us that night but were with us in spirit.
A Word of Appreciation:
A special mention to those were away overseas but made special effort to come: Derrick and Lay Wun who came all the way from Jakarta to attend this memorial dinner and my neighbor Ong, who just arrived from Casablanca.
First of all, our thanks to our God for his grace and strength that has sustained us through the past year. Thank the Lord for the wonderful years that I've shared with the wife that he had given. I’ve got my three wonderful children who had to patiently put up with their father as he struggled through the past year coping with the challenges of being a single parent. My special thanks to the following people who have been special to us:
Kathryn’s Parents:
Thank the Lord for my parents in law for raising up their daughter into the wonderful Kathryn that I fell in love with and got married to. I appreciate my mother in law for being the wonderful friend to Kathryn.
Mark’s Parents:
My thanks to my own parents and siblings for quietly standing with us all these years. My parents have been wonderful parents to me and wonderful parents-in-law to Kathryn.
Cell Members for the unfailing support given to us throughout all these years both when Kathryn was well but especially during the times when she was not. We remember the various cell outings that we had together plus Kathryn's 50th Birthday party that you helped put together that now become precious memories that we cherish. You were there offering your moral and prayer support during the time she was in hospital.
The Overcomers Group that Kathryn grew up together with during her teenage years and enjoyed those times of learning Christian principles. You kept in touch although many of you are now located in other parts of the world.
The Assuntarians Class of 75 who came together in the last few years. Thank you for arranging the ‘wild’ parties in your reunion get togethers that Kathryn told me about. Your belly dancing sessions for the 50 somethings have found their way into my blog.
Lai Yoong & Jenny Chua for taking time last year to put together some meals for Kathryn. We had good times together more than 25 years ago even when we were all starting out as young married couples settling into our first houses then.
William & Jane Wong in Australia: for the times we went on a double date during our respective courtship days in the mid-80’s together during those days. You have been a great friend to us.
Lilian Jansen in Singapore who would have been with us tonight if not for the Singapore General Elections which was held today. Lilian walked all the way from her house in USJ 3 to SS 19 even when she was without transport just to buy foodstuffs to prepare a special meal for Kathryn when she heard that Kathryn did not have much appetite to eat. It is small acts like these that show us what wonderful and supportive friends we have.
Mabel, Kathryn’s cousin in Singapore, who supported us and visited us as often as she could when she learnt that Kathryn was not well. Despite her obligations in her church in Singapore where she pastors, she somehow made a special effort to visit Kathryn and stayed with us to lend a helping hand.
Beng Choo our neighbour, in the times of our need and crisis you were always there to lend a hand. Beng Choo helped to ferry my children from school and tuition classes and doing marketing of daily provisions when we were unable to do so.
Fee Lin who skilfully put together flowers in a beautiful bouquet for others not knowing that those flowers are often a reflection of the inner beauty you have in your heart. You have a heart of gold. Kathryn and I have been wonderfully blessed by the jokes that you frequently sent by sms that would often cause her to break out in cackles of laughter. Thank you for your thoughtfulness over the children.
Lillian Cheah for showing us around the various doctors and clinics when we needed medical consultation despite your own needs.
Jenny Cheam for helping to run errands for us and accompanying Kathryn to the hospital for check-ups and treatment. Kathryn really enjoyed those times you went out shopping and ‘lepaking’ together. We remember the many trips that our families made together - to Australia in 2004, to Bali, to Langkawi in 2009, as well as those many trips we made together with the cell
Amy & Stewart: Amy for being there for Kathryn and making her feel at home in Klang when we first got married. Both of you were not from GT Klang then. Stewart for being a friend all these years. I remember the joys of being first time parents when your Irvin and our Melissa were born during the early years. One of the memorable times Kathryn and I have was the trip to New Zealand in 1990 when we visited you in Auckland.
Margaret & Alex Raj for being our dearest friends all these more than thirty years and for Alex more than 45 years. I remember the ten sen coin that you spared me when my last coin ran out at the public phone during an important phone call to Kathryn when we were fixing up a date. I would like to think that that coin made a difference to our budding courtship thirty years ago.
Margaret Tan and Kang Hoe who have been a great source of strength and encouragement to Kathryn and me all these years. Margaret, for coming over to our home with worship CDs and Bible study lessons and coming by every other day with double boiled soup for Kathryn. Not mentioning the countless meals and sweet fellowship we have had together. We have been much blessed by your friendship and generous spirit.
Agi Hoh who has been a gracious friend, a tower of strength and encouragement to Kathryn and myself throughout all these years particularly during the past recent years when Kathryn faced the most critical challenge in her life. You have been our tireless and faithful prayer partner and counselor. You stood with Kathryn at the most difficult moments.
Poh Keat and Beng Choo: Beyond being a colleague and boss to Kathryn, you have become a friend that she looked up to and respected even long after she left the firm. Thank you for coming by with Chui En and Kay Cheng to pray for her and to show your love and support even though I had to restrict the visiting times and say no several times because Kathryn's condition did not permit it.
Mona & George, my sister in law and her husband for their support and fellowship. We have grown much more closer in the last year and you got to know your brother in law a little bit more better.
Betty, my sister who took special effort to come by and stay with us once a week when she could so that our home would still have a woman's touch. She knew that her kid brother could always do with some help. Somehow the children would always be at their better behaviour when she is around.
Philip and Steven, my brothers, for looking after the business when I was not able to, so that I could look after Kathryn.
Ladies, those of you would come by our home and have become special aunties to my children. You have become very special to the children.
And for all of you who are here as well as those not here with us, time and space do not permit me to mention all that you have been to our family. Thank you and hope you have a wonderful evening.
MT
7 May 2011
Monday, May 2, 2011
In Loving Memory
Kathryn Teoh Boon Kee
19 November 1958 - 2 May 2010
‘I didn’t die. I lived! And now
I’m telling the world what God did.
Psalm 118:17
(The Message Bible)
A year has passed since we last spoke
It'll be a long while till we hear your voice again
I know you are having the greatest time there in our Father's house
We will get to see you there
It still baffles us why you had to hurry home so early
It came as a surprise to us,
even though you told us you might
I'm sure God has it figured out
So we'll just trust Him anyway.
We've had a great time, didn't we?
The best times of our life in fact,
The laughters, the walks, the quiet moments
Sometimes when it gets lonely here,
Thinking of those times just makes our day lighter
By the way, please don't worry about us here,
God has promised to take care of us
So far, He's done just that, and more
I see no reason that He's going to change, ever.
Till we meet again, hugs and kisses from all of us.
Greatly missing you,
Mark,
Melissa, Pamela and Darren
2 May 2011
The Star
2 May 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
Final Days
About this time last year, Kathryn was admitted into Sime Darby Medical Centre (previously Subang Jaya Medical Centre) to do some tests and to determine whether pleural tapping was needed to clear her lung congestion. She had been experiencing pleural effusion, a condition where excess fluid accumulates in the pleural cavity between the lungs and the wall lining. Because of that she had been complaining of breathing difficulties for some time now and we thought it might be good to have her checked up. Jo had got an appointment fixed with the chest specialist at SDMC and suggested that we see him. Pleural tapping or draining was a procedure to remove the excess fluid in order to create space for the lungs to expand and thereby enable easier breathing.
Agi, and Lilian Jansen came by that day as it was their turn to take care of Kathryn for that day. Shortly after, Mona, Jenny and Jessie also dropped by to see her. We didn’t have much time to fellowship as we had to hurry for the appointment. Pam and Darren waved their mum goodbye as we left for the hospital. Both of them were recovering from a flu and were wearing masks as they didn’t want Kathryn to catch a cough. Pam’s eyes were red with tears she could not follow us to the hospital.
After the check-up with the radiologist at the SDMC, we decided to have Kathryn checked in to do the pleural fluid draining so that her breathing difficulties could be eased. What we didn’t know then was that what was supposed to be a difficult but necessary operation for Kathryn would turn out to be a very complicated one. Although the operation was successfully done, the recovery process was slow and eventually she succumbed to her condition two weeks after. We didn’t realize that those two weeks were to be crucial final weeks for her.
MT 19 April 2011
Agi, and Lilian Jansen came by that day as it was their turn to take care of Kathryn for that day. Shortly after, Mona, Jenny and Jessie also dropped by to see her. We didn’t have much time to fellowship as we had to hurry for the appointment. Pam and Darren waved their mum goodbye as we left for the hospital. Both of them were recovering from a flu and were wearing masks as they didn’t want Kathryn to catch a cough. Pam’s eyes were red with tears she could not follow us to the hospital.
After the check-up with the radiologist at the SDMC, we decided to have Kathryn checked in to do the pleural fluid draining so that her breathing difficulties could be eased. What we didn’t know then was that what was supposed to be a difficult but necessary operation for Kathryn would turn out to be a very complicated one. Although the operation was successfully done, the recovery process was slow and eventually she succumbed to her condition two weeks after. We didn’t realize that those two weeks were to be crucial final weeks for her.
MT 19 April 2011
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