A few close relatives and friends got together to remember and honour mom on her birthday. To all those we could not reach in time, we hope this post will let you feel that you too have shared this event with us.
Birthdays were always important to mom and she would always make sure that each of our birthdays are celebrated without fail. No matter how busy we were, she would persist and persevere and somehow manage to find a date when the family can come together for a simple meal and just be together to cherish each other's birthdays.
So when her birthday came near, we wanted to do the same. The day mom was born into this world was a very special day. Not just for us, but also for the thousands of people she has touched.
Dad shared how mom's death has left a huge void in his life.
And with the support of friends and family, that void can start to be filled. Dad also quoted a chinese poem which he translated as : when a leopard dies, he leaves behind his skin. When a human being dies, it is their name that is left behind.
This prompted mom's dear friend Dato' Seri Dr. Jagdev Singh to recite this poem, written by James Henry Leigh Hunt (1784-1859):
Abu Ben Adam (may his tribe increase)
Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace
And saw, within the moonlight of his room
Making it rich, like a lily in bloom
An angel writing in a book of gold.
Exceeding peace made Abu Ben Adam bold
And to the presence in his room he said
'What writest thou?' The vision raised its head
And with a look of all sweet accord
Answered: 'The names of those who love the Lord
'And is mine one?' said Abu.
'Nay not so' Replied the Angel:
Abu spoke more low
But cheerily still and said 'I pray thee then
Write me as one that loves his fellow-men'
The angel wrote and vanished. The next night
It came again with awaking light
And showed the names of whom love of God had blessed.
And lo! Ben Adam's name led all the rest.
My niece, Mike 's daughter Mellissa read out the moving lyrics of a song she had found. So beautiful and apt, it left many eyes sparkling wet.
If You Could See Me Now (Words by Kim Noblitt)
Our prayers have all been answered
I finally arrived
The healing that had been delayed
Has now been realized
No one's in a hurry
There's no schedule to keep
We're all enjoying Jesus
Just sitting at His feet
If you could see me now
I'm walking streets of gold
If you could see me now
I'm standing tall and whole
If you could see me now
You'd know I've seen His face
If you could see me now
You'd know the pain is erased
You wouldn't want me
To ever leave this place
If you could see me now
My light and temporary trials
Have worked out for my good
To know it brought Him glory
When I misunderstood
Though we've had our sorrows
They can never compare
To what Jesus has in store for us
No language can share
If you could see me now
I'm walking streets of gold
If you could see me now
I'm standing tall and whole
If you could see me now
You'd know I've seen His face
If you could see me now
You'd know the pain is erased
You wouldn't want me
To ever leave this place
If you could see me now
