Appreciation to all my friends and relatives

Dear all,

I would like to use this space to thank all my friends, relatives and colleagues for all the concern and support you guys have given me during the first weeks of my dad's demise. I was really very touched during the whole duration of my dad's wake + funeral as I had never expected that so many of you guys would come over to my place to give me some words and pats of comfort. 

1. Catholic High pals, especially Andrew who came down all the way to TTSH to help me and my family when my dad was first warded
2. Army buddies, especially Zhixuan who came in the pouring rain and TEAM BRAVO 
3. NUS year 1-year 4 gang
4. NUS CAC '06 gp 2 fellow councillors
5. NUS BHID fellow volunteers
6. ST Aerospace colleagues, especially all the e/e people + lunch kakis

Thanks so much, once again. And if anyone is worried about me and my family, I'm fine, and my mum and bro are also taking it well. 

"Life goes on" , as my dad would say. The rainbow over the whole of Singapore just a few days after my dad left for heaven is probably the best testament for the quote. Haha

Best Regards,

Bernard

Tribute to my beloved "PA"

My dad passed away in the late afternoon of 21^st Feb 2009 (Sat). It’s been a hard weekend for me, my mum and my brother. My dad had suffered a mild stroke a few years back, but he had already recovered, and was as healthy as he could be.

On that fateful 20 Feb afternoon, he was as usual, alone at home. By the time my mum came home at about 8pm, she found my dad lying on the bed with vomit all over the bed. Apparently, he suffered a stroke, which we suspected caused by a knock on his head. Wafferine that my dad was taking had made him vulnerable to any knocks and falls.

My mum and brother called him up and he managed to open his eyes, but could not already speak. It was my misfortune that I was out that time, as my beloved dad could not get to see me one last time. By the time I reached the hospital, my dad was unconscious, in coma. The doctor told us to be prepared, as there was massive bleeding in the left side of his brain.

I was glad that the ordeal was all over for my dad in 2 days. The night I see him with a feeding tube through his nasal passage and breathing hard through an oxygen mask was very disheartening. Even if my dad had recovered, he would be bed-ridden, which I believe would be hard to take for my dad himself and my mum.

That’s why I am really grateful to the lord that he had brought my dad to a much better home, where he can provide my dad with whatever he wants and needs.

My dad is the most respectable person in my heart. No matter what me and my bro do, he’ll support us wholeheartedly. My dad’s also highly intelligent, not everyone in his time can go Raffles Institute one, ok? An avid reader, he was also well-informed of current situations, and would feed me and my family with the latest information around.

In his 57 years of life, yes, he did some mistakes, but well, who doesn’t. At least his life experience taught me and my bro to be more frugal, thrifty, not to spend money as though it’s water. Being a reserved person, he does not really show many emotions, but I know he loves us, even till now. Like when he got a lobang for laptops, he specially bought one each for me and my bro. Like whenever me and my bro were at home, he would walk out all the way to the coffeeshop to get lunch/dinner for us.

Not only was he great to my family, but also great to his friends. Even though we were not really well-off, I was told by his friends he lent them money during their times of need. Well, that’s my dad for you, putting others ahead of himself.

Pa, I’ll be strong. “Be strong” is easier said than done. Looking back at your wedding photos, or any of your old photos, I would have a sudden urge to cry. But I promise I’ll do it only in private.

Pa, rest well in heaven, and bless us k. We love you, and I know you love us too.