Dear Friends,
My Dad passed away on Sunday ( 3/4/2016) due to infection of the blood and bone. He had an operation to put in "shant" to drain excess fluid in his brain about 10 years ago (2006). While we thought it was a good thing to do have the "shant", it had other effects. That same year my mother passed away. It was a double whammy for my Dad. He was not the same man ever again. He became quiet and hardly spoke about his sadness, pain or suffering. He wilted away slowly and eventually, passed on after 11 days in the hospital.
Growing up, our Dad was a strict diciplinarian. He was also a very spiritual man. He taught us to stand on our own two feet and not depend on others. Even though we hardly saw him during the day as he would work from 6am to 12am on most days, he showered us with love and he took good care of us whenever he was at home.
My Dad was a great guy according to family friends and relatives. He helped so many people despite being a cab driver. He was the "Master of Ceremony for Weddings and Funerals" and he did it out of his own goodwill and he did not collect any money for his services. He also picked up friends and anyone who came from abroad and helped them settle down in Singapore. He served society and he never craved for glory but helped anyone who needed help. He was also a match-maker as he was well connected among the Ceylonese Community as well as other races. I found out more about my Dad during the wake and his friends shared more information about my Dad which my Dad did not share with us. One friend described my Dad as a "Legend" in our community while another described him as an "Unsung Hero" of the community. I felt really proud.
It was especially difficult for my sisters to let go of him. They loved him dearly and so did I. But, I am glad he passed on instead of struggling in hospital any longer. One friend shared that his father was in hospital for 67 days due to stroke and had a heart bypass before passing on. I am glad my Dad is in a better place.
My Dad lived up to the motto of "Help Yourself N Help Others". This was a hobby or therapy for him in a way. Helping others brought him joy.
Why am I sharing this? Well, losing someone you love is painful, scary and difficult to handle. It is OK to grieve but it is also important to treasure the memories of the person and learn to let go. Everyone has to go through this process. If there is birth, then there will be death. It is part and parcel of life be it animals or humans. If you find it difficult to let go, then talk to someone you are comfortable with. Start a new hobby that will give you joy and make you happy. The best way to cherish the person is to live up to their expectation and continue their good work. In my sisters and my case, our Dad and Mum wanted us to be happy and successful. My Dad always urged us to study as to him that was the best way to get out of poverty. It is never to late to start your education journey again. It was tough for my Dad but he was cab driver for 40 over years and brought us up well.
My sisters and I are grateful to my Dad and Mum for their love and care they showered on us. God Bless their Soul. Thank You Appa & Amma. We love you!
Best Regards,
Mark
http://exercise2energize.blogspot.sg/
My Dad passed away on Sunday ( 3/4/2016) due to infection of the blood and bone. He had an operation to put in "shant" to drain excess fluid in his brain about 10 years ago (2006). While we thought it was a good thing to do have the "shant", it had other effects. That same year my mother passed away. It was a double whammy for my Dad. He was not the same man ever again. He became quiet and hardly spoke about his sadness, pain or suffering. He wilted away slowly and eventually, passed on after 11 days in the hospital.
Growing up, our Dad was a strict diciplinarian. He was also a very spiritual man. He taught us to stand on our own two feet and not depend on others. Even though we hardly saw him during the day as he would work from 6am to 12am on most days, he showered us with love and he took good care of us whenever he was at home.
My Dad was a great guy according to family friends and relatives. He helped so many people despite being a cab driver. He was the "Master of Ceremony for Weddings and Funerals" and he did it out of his own goodwill and he did not collect any money for his services. He also picked up friends and anyone who came from abroad and helped them settle down in Singapore. He served society and he never craved for glory but helped anyone who needed help. He was also a match-maker as he was well connected among the Ceylonese Community as well as other races. I found out more about my Dad during the wake and his friends shared more information about my Dad which my Dad did not share with us. One friend described my Dad as a "Legend" in our community while another described him as an "Unsung Hero" of the community. I felt really proud.
It was especially difficult for my sisters to let go of him. They loved him dearly and so did I. But, I am glad he passed on instead of struggling in hospital any longer. One friend shared that his father was in hospital for 67 days due to stroke and had a heart bypass before passing on. I am glad my Dad is in a better place.
My Dad lived up to the motto of "Help Yourself N Help Others". This was a hobby or therapy for him in a way. Helping others brought him joy.
Why am I sharing this? Well, losing someone you love is painful, scary and difficult to handle. It is OK to grieve but it is also important to treasure the memories of the person and learn to let go. Everyone has to go through this process. If there is birth, then there will be death. It is part and parcel of life be it animals or humans. If you find it difficult to let go, then talk to someone you are comfortable with. Start a new hobby that will give you joy and make you happy. The best way to cherish the person is to live up to their expectation and continue their good work. In my sisters and my case, our Dad and Mum wanted us to be happy and successful. My Dad always urged us to study as to him that was the best way to get out of poverty. It is never to late to start your education journey again. It was tough for my Dad but he was cab driver for 40 over years and brought us up well.
My sisters and I are grateful to my Dad and Mum for their love and care they showered on us. God Bless their Soul. Thank You Appa & Amma. We love you!
Best Regards,
Mark
http://exercise2energize.blogspot.sg/
