Unforgettable, thats what You are

As most of you might know, it was about a week ago when my grandfather entered into Glory in the Lord Jesus. I am comforted by the fact that although he was praying to other gods for most of his life, the fact that he was a pious and devoted man tells me that when he accepted Jesus into his life, never once did he think back. "I have decided to follow Jesus, No turning back..."

Although i haven't heard his voice for the past 7 years, i still remember the deep, coffee soaked voice that he had, a warm smile and a cheerful laughter. That uplifting laughter still resonates in my head. My Grandfather's name is Goh Ah Huat, he lived till 85 and during the last 7 years of his life, he was bed-ridden with a chronic stroke. The agony during those days was simply dreadful: not being able to talk while still being able to listen, totally no control over any muscle accept for one thing; His eyes.

My grandpa used his eyes and ears to communicate with the rest of the family. If something was being said to him, and he'd want to say "yes", he would blink his eyes, i know that although this limits him to only answering questions, but when he was staying at my place, i'd spend time with him just playing him some oldies, and stroking his head gently. I think he kinda liked that cause he'd always look at me and blink his eyes saying "thank you" and "i love you too"

I'm thankful that in my earlier years i spent a significant amount of time in his flat in Toa Payoh listening to all the wonderful tales and songs he sang, as well as learning lessons in life that have been imbued in me. For most of his life, my grandfather worked at the same company and job; being a lawyer's clerk. His outstanding performance, determination and loyalty allowed him to stay for many decades under the same employer, and he did this all for a simple sum of 10 dollars a day. With that 10 dollars he managed to put food on the table for his family. And even when they grew up and got married, he still continued to work for that simple amount.

My Grandpa legacy was simplicity; living life in a way where he did things that mattered. He loved sleeping on a rattan mat, something i would say is on the brink of extinction. As a kid i always wondered why he didn't want to sleep on a bed. And so i decided to give it a try myself one night, and found it very pleasant. The beauty of simplicity was what made me enjoy, having the bare minimum but still having the most, as it was my grandpa that was sleeping next to me. Ah Kong got up every morning at 5 without fail. By the time i woke up, he wouldn't be in the house, but he'd soon return with many delicacies from the market. He introduced me to many kinds of food, and the one i remember most was putu mayam, and along with that came many delicious and colourful kuehs. How simple life must be, to enjoy the colours, to be delighted by the array and to taste. I guess its different nowadays.

Ah Kong taught me many of life's lessons. One such lesson was when he set up an ang pow tree. He brought me to the tree and asked me to choose which one i wanted, the biggest prize available was 50 dollars. So Naturally, being small and naive, i'd go for the biggest one i saw. Thinking that it was a straightforward piece of cake... Hahaha, how wrong and disappointed i was when i only saw 5 dollars! He later revealed to me that the 'big one' was actually the smallest one tucked away in a corner. Perhaps it really reflected upon his character, having substance and humility at the same time. And not judging the book by it's cover.