Early this morning, I went to visit my friend's wake. A couple of my other friends were there already as they kept vigil through the night so that the bereaved family could rest before the funeral tomorrow. I bought breakfast for all.
When I saw the casket, my friend looked as if he was just sleeping. I cannot believe he is gone. It was just a couple of months ago when we met. In fact, I just remembered he sms-ed me not too long ago, asking a couple of us to meet up when the Premier League season opens so that we can watch a Liverpool match at a pub in Clarke Quay. I am wearing a Liverpool jersey today in remembrance of Joseph.
His wife came down a while later and I spoke to her for a moment in private. His passing was sudden. On Sunday Joseph complained that he was not feeling too well after a tiff with his wife. He went to see the doctor and rested. The next morning, he just did not wake up from his sleep. He had a heart attack apparently.
His wife feels bad now that they had a quarrel and felt that she should have just given in. She also told me the family was planning a trip to Hong Kong in December and the tickets have been bought from a recent travel fair.
I stayed for about two hours before I left. While in the train, I was just reflecting on all the other things Joseph's wife shared with me which I do not see the need to do so here. What I was reminded is this - cherish your loved ones while they are alive. Tell them how much you love them and settle whatever disputes sooner than later because when they are gone, it would be too late for regrets.
Well, it is sad that I have to learn this lesson from a dead friend whom I got to know since army days.
I shall stop here and help a dear sister-in-Christ do some packing.
"Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”" James 4:14-15
“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21
When I saw the casket, my friend looked as if he was just sleeping. I cannot believe he is gone. It was just a couple of months ago when we met. In fact, I just remembered he sms-ed me not too long ago, asking a couple of us to meet up when the Premier League season opens so that we can watch a Liverpool match at a pub in Clarke Quay. I am wearing a Liverpool jersey today in remembrance of Joseph.
His wife came down a while later and I spoke to her for a moment in private. His passing was sudden. On Sunday Joseph complained that he was not feeling too well after a tiff with his wife. He went to see the doctor and rested. The next morning, he just did not wake up from his sleep. He had a heart attack apparently.
His wife feels bad now that they had a quarrel and felt that she should have just given in. She also told me the family was planning a trip to Hong Kong in December and the tickets have been bought from a recent travel fair.
I stayed for about two hours before I left. While in the train, I was just reflecting on all the other things Joseph's wife shared with me which I do not see the need to do so here. What I was reminded is this - cherish your loved ones while they are alive. Tell them how much you love them and settle whatever disputes sooner than later because when they are gone, it would be too late for regrets.
Well, it is sad that I have to learn this lesson from a dead friend whom I got to know since army days.
I shall stop here and help a dear sister-in-Christ do some packing.
"Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”" James 4:14-15
“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21
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