Popo I Love You
Tuesday 24 March 2009
Sat Mar 21, 2009, the day my popo left this earthly world to be home with the Lord, after battling the development of cancer cells into her once healthy, strong and lively body.
For a moment after her passing, I was saddened not to be able to be there to say good-bye at her last moments. However, my chance was created when my uncle ask if I am able to give an Eulogy for popo. So although I was not able to say what I want to her ears before she went home, I am able get it out of my chest to say what I want and I know she is able to hear it from Heaven.
Eulogy for Popo
I am the eldest granddaughter. When I was asked to give this Eulogy, my feelings were halved. Half of me, I felt really privileged to be given a chance to express my love and what a great woman my grandmother was. Another half of me was afraid that my choice of words are inadequate to really express the woman my grandmother really was, the fullness of life she led, the circle of influence she had, the kindness and love she has extended, the numerous lives she has touched and impacted.
I address my grandmother as “popo”. But she has been more than a grandmother to me. I have been in her care and under her nurture since I was a baby.
She was my mentor. She taught me to be a lady, how to sit and cross my legs. She taught me how to tell time, through an old alarm clock. She made sure I did my homework before I play. I remembered there was at time whilst I did my homework in a room with the door closed so I wont get distracted, and I got lazy and started walking around, thinking she wouldn’t know what I was doing. I have not even finished that thought before I heard her voice from outside telling me not to walk around and finish my homework! For that moment I was amazed how my popo can see through doors! It was only later then I realized she saw my shadows from the gap of the door.
She was my storyteller and life inspirer. She loved to tell us stories, of her life before and after marriage, and the hardships she experienced when they 1st came to Singapore and when we were poor as a family. Through all these and more, I see her as a woman of great strength and positiveness. Hardly anything will ever bring her down or crush her spirit.
She was my provider. I remembered it was always the aroma of coffee and tea that woke my up in the morning was I was living with her. She is the 1st to wake up, whilst everybody is still asleep, to make sure once everyone is up, to have a good breakfast before they went off for work, and for me, to school. She will then make sure the house is clean, laundry is done, and enough food is cooked for dinner for all of us when we came home. At night, she is the last to sleep.
I believe if she is still around and this has been another event, she will be the one busiest, working to make sure everyone is being attended to and is comfortable.
I remembered when I moved back to live with my parents, she teared. She didn’t tell me personally but it was only after I heard that she treats me like her youngest daughter, I realized how much she loved me. And I know her love extends beyond me.
I thank God that she came to know the Lord 18 years ago, and her zeal for life has been even more amazing! She has been to more mission trips than I have! Her love does not stop within the family, but to the unchurched! Before she leaves for a mission trip, she will share with us where she is going and who she will be reaching out to, and you can see the excitement in her eyes. When she is back she will tell us of her adventures and you can see the passion in her eyes as she tells us of the next planned mission trip they may have.
I remembered there was once before she knew the Lord, I was a kid at the dining table giving thanks for the food. She jokingly told me the food was bought and cooked by her so I should say thank you to her instead of God.
But after she came to know the Lord, she gave thanks more than anybody else. She mentioned she was thankful to have a wonderful family, wonderful sons, wonderful grandchildren. I would like to say in contraversion, that I am the one who is truely blessed, to have a grandmother like her.
I personally believed she has been a great wife, mother and without a doubt the best popo I can ever asked for. She was the pillar and gel of this family.
I know she will be badly missed by all who have been touched by her life. Her friends, grandchildren, children and husband.
She seldom like to take photos, but I know we will always remember her smile, especially the sparkle in her eyes.
I thank God that she has left her bodily suffering and is now in heavenly paradise, without pain, tears or fears.
I just really want to take this opportunity to say out loud, "Popo, I love you..."
Your Strength Inspires
Your Positiveness Motivates
Your Values Instils
I Am, because You Are
Popo, I love you
Dear Popo, I will miss you. I know you are happily in Jesus Christ arms now. Love you. Le Jing
Dear Popo, I love you :) I know you're enjoying yourself with Abba Daddy now :D :D We'll meet again another day! With love, Le Ying
Dear Popo, I will miss you. Loving you always. Sophia
Dear Poh Poh, we will miss you dearly. Love Samuel
Dearest Poh Poh, may your soul rest in peace with our Father.
Dear Poh Poh, I know you're up in heave now, and till we meet again one day, I will keep you in my heart. Your grandson, Caleb
Dear Popo, You'll always be in our hearts. I love you. Jin Long
Dear Popo, I love you and will miss you dearly. Thank you very much. :D Jin Jyue
Dear Mother, I love you so much. Benjamin Wong
Labels: behind close doors, flashback, life's journey, reflections