Documenting life's beauty, as seen through the eyes of a lady blessed with everything a girl could dream of, and more: five gorgeous kids, patient and providing husband, an adorable dog, a very cheeky frog, and still time enough to get crafty and creative in the kitchen or with my trusty needles, thread and yarn! The joys of being Queen of the household! Rejoice, and the world joins in!
Mother's Day this year was life-changing, what was meant to be a happy day tainted by the sudden news of my pa's passing, but here's a little something my littlest girlie Kimmy said to me that night...
"I just wanna be the one who makes you Happy..."
It is by far one of the sweetest utterances said to me... ever! :) Through the sadness of the moment, I had to smile and remember that all was not lost, and Her Royal Sweetness definitely brought a tear to my eye!
There she is right there in one of my favourite pictures of her at the moment... because she's such a photogenic girl, I'll soon have so many more favourite pictures! Looking ethereal, as always... that's my Kimmy Doll!
Despite the overtone of grief and solemnity, I was happy to see so many people whom Pa loved, and who loved Pa, gathered in the place where so many of our firm friendships formed: 95A Old Airport Road. It all felt like things had come round full-circle.
Everything that has transpired from 8 May, the day Pa returned to our Heavenly Father's arms, and today, when we walked with him one final time, has definitely changed us all. I am glad that things went smoothly, and that we were able to pay him a good final tribute through our nightly prayers and a meaningful mass. All his grandchildren had a part to play in Pa's mass. I remember him enjoying their little show-and-tell sessions, whether they were performing a music piece or reading off a book, and I imagine him smiling in the company of angels as he watched their last earthly gift to him.
The walk down the aisle of the church had much meaning for me. Twenty-six years ago, Pa proudly walked me down the same aisle, wearing his grey safari suit, to present me for marriage. Yesterday, I joined my family, his grandchildren in tow, and walked him down the aisle, to present him to heaven.
Mel delivered the eulogy. Here's Melissa's tribute to my pa:
All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances, And one man in his time plays many parts, and lives through many ages.
In his time, Andrew was a friend, a brother, a husband, a father, a father-in-law, brother-in-law. To us, he was grandpa. We always hear so many stories about grandpa when he was younger, but of course we only knew him in more recent years.
People we meet always say that Grandpa was strong and tough, and Grandma has a photograph of Grandpa hunting to prove it. He is standing with a huge gun, with one foot on a dead wild boar.
He rode a motorcycle and had a revolver because he was a policeman. Of course, I always thought that this was the picture of cool.
But to his grandchildren, Grandpa was mellow and gentle.
For the 19 years that I have known Grandpa, I remember him most for his smile, because it was always slightly mischievous.
Grandpa always seemed to notice when I had just done something clumsy. At one mooncake festival party, I accidentally toppled a tray of mooncakes, and there Grandpa was, smiling at me with the twinkle in his eye. I always felt quite silly but he wouldn't say anything, so neither would I.
I imagine the same twinkle in his eye when as a boy, Grandpa escaped with his brother back to Singapore after they were sent to the Batu Pahat boys home in Malaysia. That must have been a great adventure.
If all the world's a stage, I'm honored to deliver this eulogy at Grandpa's curtain call.
Grandpa has played so many different roles in each of our lives. I am glad to have known him.
He will be remembered fondly by Grandma, his children, and all of us as a generous man who bought durians by the baskets and always loved a good meal. On his next great adventure, I wish him eternal happiness. Till we meet again.
The brother, who Pa ran away from the boys home with, passed away exactly one year ago. I'm sure they're off on some new path, which must hold more appeal than any path in our mortal world.
May God bless and keep you always, Pa.
I took a photo of my accessories for today. I will never look at this pair of earrings, this watch, this ring, this hairband, necklace... the dress that I picked... I will never look at them the same way again.
And a little dedication to my mother, Gloria, who should be glad to be alive, and learn to embrace life and live it like she should.
You see I'm just a little man, trying hard to understand What kind of living is a life if I can't stand on my own two feet
You see we are looking for the same thing And we are trying to survive But I know each day in life don't get much easier than the last So today I'm just glad to be alive
And I'm singing Gloria, Gloria, Gloria, stay by my side Gloria, Gloria, Gloria, I'm glad to be alive Glad to be alive
I think that life is a blessing And every step, every lesson You want for love and protection To those in me
To all my mothers and fathers And all the angels and saints I'm so glad to be alive
Seems like there's never enough time to do the things I wanna do And it never ends But at the end of the day I might not have no money to count or spend But I know I can count on all my friends
And you call on me See we are looking for the same thing And we are trying to survive And I know each day in life with you gets better than the last So today I'm just glad to be alive Yol
My father, Andrew Loh aka Willie passed away this evening and I am very sad.
The memories I have of my father will always have to be the cool motorcycle rides he gave me daily to school during my secondary school days much to the envy of my friends ... I can still remember his license plate no. 2192 which won him the first prize in one of his regular weekend bets! With his winnings, he got mom a brand new kitchen and new terrazoo flooring. My pa is a very generous man. He bought us durians and mangosteens by the baskets.
Whenever I pass by the Police Academy in Thomson Road, I still have sweet memories of my annual trips with my pa to their sports carnival. We'd bring back home lots of little ice-cream cups and other take-aways but we'd never take part in the races. My pa's a quiet man ... a man of a few words but he always listened. The walk down the aisle on 23 Dec 1985 my wedding day must have been his proudest moment! He looked so handsome at 55 in his grey safari suit.
My pa loved good food and he's a great cook too, very proud of his fried Hokkien prawn noodles and always recommending us places of good and cheap food. I'll always remember his favourite Lor 9 beef noodles stall.
I will miss you pa and so will Alfred, Mel, Amelia, Kim, Nick and especially Ben.
May you rest in peace pa, Yol
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Today is a special day, a special one indeed,
A day to thank our mamas like a knight his noble steed.
A day to adorn our mama's hands with gifts and presents galore,
To express our gratitude and thanks and how mama we adore.
Then we'll feast upon chicken and good food,
And we'll let nothing take away the joyous and carefree mood.
Because today is a special day, a special one indeed,
A day called Mother's Day as it is known internationally.
And so with this poem hopefully great food we shall earn,
While others sit by and watch her cook, hoping to learn,
Her magical spicy sweet and mouth-watering recipe,
But they won't cook as great a dish as Mama, says my bear Duffy!
A special Mother's Day gift from Nicholas and his company of companions
Mother's Day this year was life-changing, what was meant to be a happy day tainted by the sudden news of my pa's passing, but here's a little something my littlest girlie Kimmy said to me that night...
