a very sad day for the family...

24/12/2004, Friday, Christmas' Eve



today had been a very sad day for my family, please read to the end of the blog...



today is our standby day, we suppose to book out at 5pm, but base comd (commander) gave half day off, so we book out at noon...



back at home in the afternoon, intending to watch "Kungfu Hustle" with my poly pals in the evening. My mother had been telling me to visit my uncle in hospital, but being rebeliious (and some-sort unfillial) son, I decided to leave it to tomolo morning. spent the whole after watching Yanzi's DVD and surfing when we receive a call that my uncle has changed to another bed (that means condition worsened)... it's 4pm at that time... my father rush to hospital immediately. thinking that it's not so serious, my mother took her own sweet time to prepare to go out. Then, we leave home about 6pm and reached NUH with my brother at 6.15pm...



the condition is not as good as we expected, my uncle (father's elder brother) was breathing vigously with lots of equipment beside him. The doctor says his whole artery is blocked and it's beyond cure. We could only wait for "his time to come". Almost my whole family come to visit him including my grandmother. We can only watch and hope that his condition will be better and he will wake up... I have to cancel my appointment with my poly friends... from time to time, my cousins (my uncle's children), his wife and my grandmother (and my brother) will say "Wake up, wake up!" in teochew...



at 8pm plus, he breath more smoothly, and we started going down for dinner in batches. We were eating half-way when I received a call from my father saying that my uncle stopped breathing! We immediately rushed back to the ward. The doctor is still not there. Everyone start crying and shouting, even myself. The inprofessional doctor only came half hour later... He was declared dead in front of me... Tears started to fall. My cousin nearly fainted. I will never forget this scence. It's so shocking that a person talking actively just 2 weeks ago, was now lying dead in front me... But there are things still need to be done. Documents to file, washing up and dressing up him, and arrangements for the funeral. We left around 10pm...



my uncle was a very active person. Travels a lot and gets involved in union's activities. And also very positive thinking. Also sings karaoke frequently. Nobody expected he to pass away so early and so sudden. The good thing is he didn't leave much regrets, all his children are degree holders and her eldest daughter even hold a Master, he just granted his wish of going back to Teochew (China) and his son just got married. What more can a man wish for?



p.s. thanks A LOT to all who have to send in the condolences and concern. Really thanks a lot...