Daddy

Daddy passed on on Sunday, 26th April, after his hospitalization on 5th January. Daddy was such a fighter, surviving past a ruptured cyst, bleeding ulcers and 3 heart attacks.

Though daddy is physically no longer with us but I take heart that we will see each other in heaven. God's assurance is that to live is Christ and to die is gain. There will be no more pain and suffering where daddy is now. Only joy and happiness.

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My eulogy for daddy

No one could ever be a 100% ready to accept the death of a loved one, no matter how prepared. Losing a loved one is one of the most difficult things that we had to go through especially when it is the loss of a parent.

My daddy was one of those strict fathers whose words are the law of our house. Growing up, my sister and I feared him. Yet, I never could have known that he was teaching me one of life’s most valuable lesson – Fight hard for what you believe in and let nobody bring you down, your family is always behind you. As I grew older, I began to understand that the most important thing that my daddy had was us – my mummy, my sister and I. He loves us with all that he can and with all that he knew how, he protected and shielded us. Yes, for those who know daddy, he was strict but only because he loves us.

I remembered when we were little, my daddy always found time for a game of badminton at night after his work despite tiredness. He was always available whenever we needed him. Once, I fell face flat to the ground and had a bloodied face. Daddy put down whatever he was doing, came straight to school and carried me to the doctor. I remember too that my sister was weak when young, fainting easily and she was brought for various medical checks. Daddy assured her by being with her at all times, reminding her always that no matter what, her family is with her.

Daddy-Daughter time to me was doing handy work at home together. He would be the one standing on top of the ladder and I would be the one handing him the tools, like how the assistant was to the surgeon. I would always know that after drilling a hole, my daddy would need the washer and a hammer. It was often known that I take after my daddy’s handyman skills and my daddy was proud of it. Just 2 years ago when I completed making a lampshade, man! My daddy shows it off to whoever comes to my house.

My daddy was a man of few words but after his stroke 2 years ago, he talked as if he was making up for the lost conversations and unceasingly proclaimed his love for mummy, Carol and I. I remember once, on a very rare occasion, mummy went out, leaving me to take care of daddy. Daddy and I were at the dining table and he started telling me that he might be strict, he might be a very difficult man, but deep down, he really loves his family, he loves mummy, he loves Carol and he loves me dearly. He beamed with joy each time he shared how he courted my mummy.

My daddy is a fighter and he showed strength right up to the end. Despite his ailing health and several heart attacks, my daddy fought well. Towards the last few months, my daddy showed me how he relied on the promise of God. Psalms 27:1 says “The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?” He was assured each time he hears this verse and this became his anchor verse the last 2 months.

The past 4 months had been a difficult and painful journey for daddy. Yet, before his passing on, daddy looked at peace and he looked heavenward, as if God was welcoming him home. Yes, no one could ever be 100% prepared for the death of a loved one. However, mummy, Carol and I are really happy that though daddy is physically no longer with us, he is home with Jesus, his Lord and Savior.

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