Remembering Mum

Mum, third from left

Mum, standing second from right

My mum must had wonderful times with church friends in her last few years of her earthly life. I had never seen her singing on stage. And I was awed that she danced on stage too! These are two photographs I found in her drawer after she passed on. These photographs are now with me - in my treasured chest!

I remember as she lay there, with her frail body ravaged by cancer that was to take her to meet her Maker in heaven, she said, "I am in Masland Methodist Church." I saw such peace on her face. Then she slipped back into semi-consciousness. I never heard her saying another word.

Mum, the amazingly evergreen strong mother and doting grandmother, even as she battled he cancer cells, she never complained. She possessed that quiet confidence that God would see her through.

Yes, I miss my mum very much. Mother,

I know you’ve found a place,
much better than where,
we lived as family in warm embrace -
so why is my heart still bleeding to care?

I know you’ve found new friends there,
whose company you gladly share,
like those days when we stood for each other -
so why do I still yearn for you hither?

I know happy memories should suffice,
and I’ve them aplenty,
of moments you touched me deeply -
so why for more do I still crave and insist?

I know you lived a good life of seventy-three,
as a mother and teacher you nurtured me,
you were my clutch to trudge over difficulties -
so am I selfish to wish you live seventy-four or more?

I know you still love me – deep and tender,
but deeper and tenderer is my love for you, my mother,
I wish I had said it many times over when I should -
tell me mother, it’s not too late – show me how I could.
- Yan, for mother