Uncle's wake

Went dinner with sis at tpy central before walking to another part of Lor 4 to my uncle's wake. There was alot of people there, mostly from his church or his son's church. Yes, his wake was a Christian one and this is probably the 1st one I have been to. There's no incense to light or paper money to burn, just some light music playing from a hi-fi.

Dad was already there as he went there earlier. We stood around until the prayer session started and were ushered to take a seat. It was pretty uncomfortable thanks to the many lights there that attracted lots of those light fleas. We had to keep sweeping them off our clothes or bodies. About 10 mins plus later, mum arrived with cousin after brother fetched sis-in-law from work (she had to OT so they reached quite late. Brother fetch mum and cousin from home). We quickly took the chance to stand up and gave them our seats. However, we were still bugged by relatives and dunno who to go and sit down as there were still a few empty seats. We insisted we wanted to stand as there were less fleas away from the lights.

The session took like another 20 mins more and it was real tiring standing there. In the midst of the prayers and singing, my eldest cousin went up to give a speech. He is a pastor so naturally he could talk quite fluently. His eyes were clearly swollen as he did not sleep last night and probably from crying too. He gave a rather touching speech, sending his dad's messages to everyone. He said his dad was not good at words thus this would be the time for him to help him convey the messages.

He said (1) sorry to all the relatives, family members and friends on his dad's behalf as he knew his dad had often hurt people with his harshness and insensitivity. His dad was not an easy person to get along and inevitably hurt many along the way. Then he said (2) thanks to everyone for being here as he knew his dad would be happy to see so many people here, even though he was all alone in the last stage of his life. Followed, he said (3) bye bye to everyone on his dad's behalf as he had now gone to the next stage of his life, to be with god and own his father whom passed away like 30 years ago. Lastly, he said (4) its great, as now he continues his next journey to be free of illness and suffering, to be with god.

It was indeed very emotional listening to him speak. Although I am not a christian, I feel happy for my uncle, coz death is clearly not an end for him, but a new beginning. Its indeed a relief for everyone so this is probably not a sad occasion but a happy one. After his speech, there were more prayers and singing before the session ended with everyone queuing up to go round the coffin to take a look at him. It was heartwarming to see him lying so peaceful there, hope he would be at ease and happy now.

We took seats later as meal was served (buffet style but me and sis din eat). Chatted for a while before dad realised he had passed time to leave as he needed to be home by 10pm to book courts. Bro then drove my parents and sis-in-law home while me and sis took a bus as the car was too cramped and din want mum to hurt her legs. End up he din get the courts he wanted but managed to book 2nd choice courts instead.