Born Free....My Grandfather's passing
Kong Kong passed away on Wednesday the 26th of July 2006, right about the time when I landed on the runway in Los Angeles from my flight back from Singapore.
He had been ill for a while, and we knew he didn't have much time left, but it's always still a shock to get the news of a loved one's passing.
I'm glad I took the opportunity to go and visit him back in Singapore in June when I had first heard that he was ill. And just about two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to return to Singapore again to sing at a corporate event and I had managed to visit my Kong Kong on Monday the 24th of July, just a few days before he passed away. According to my grandmother, I was the last grandchild to see him alive. That was truly a blessing for me that I got to see him and spend some time with him.
It's funny how the memory of the last time I saw him becomes more poignant in the light of his passing. I had gone over to my grandparents' flat to give them some Bubor Terigu that my dad and I had bought from the nearby Hawker's Center. Kong Kong was cleaning out one of his bird cages. He has always loved keeping birds as a hobby and during his hospitalisation, he had given his birds to his friend Ah Chye for safe-keeping. Mummy said that about two weeks before he passed away, he was excited and happy to get his birds back from Ah Chye after he was discharged from the hospital, but as the days passed, perhaps realising that he didn't have the strength to tend to his birds, he set them free one by one, until he had just one bird left.
I think it's poignant that one of the last things he did before he died was to free his birds. Perhaps he sensed that the end was coming and that the best thing he could do for those birds was to free them from their cages...to let them roam free...perhaps the way he too, was soon to be released from the cage of his physical frailty and sickness...the way that the Lord would soon be calling him home; free at last to be home.
I shall always remember the last time I saw Kong Kong on that Monday before I left Singapore for L.A. He was a little tired, but he still chuckled and smiled as I gave him a hug and kiss to say goodbye. I know we'll see each other again soon...someday...when the good Lord calls all of us home.
I miss you Kong Kong.
He had been ill for a while, and we knew he didn't have much time left, but it's always still a shock to get the news of a loved one's passing.
I'm glad I took the opportunity to go and visit him back in Singapore in June when I had first heard that he was ill. And just about two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to return to Singapore again to sing at a corporate event and I had managed to visit my Kong Kong on Monday the 24th of July, just a few days before he passed away. According to my grandmother, I was the last grandchild to see him alive. That was truly a blessing for me that I got to see him and spend some time with him.
It's funny how the memory of the last time I saw him becomes more poignant in the light of his passing. I had gone over to my grandparents' flat to give them some Bubor Terigu that my dad and I had bought from the nearby Hawker's Center. Kong Kong was cleaning out one of his bird cages. He has always loved keeping birds as a hobby and during his hospitalisation, he had given his birds to his friend Ah Chye for safe-keeping. Mummy said that about two weeks before he passed away, he was excited and happy to get his birds back from Ah Chye after he was discharged from the hospital, but as the days passed, perhaps realising that he didn't have the strength to tend to his birds, he set them free one by one, until he had just one bird left.
I think it's poignant that one of the last things he did before he died was to free his birds. Perhaps he sensed that the end was coming and that the best thing he could do for those birds was to free them from their cages...to let them roam free...perhaps the way he too, was soon to be released from the cage of his physical frailty and sickness...the way that the Lord would soon be calling him home; free at last to be home.
I shall always remember the last time I saw Kong Kong on that Monday before I left Singapore for L.A. He was a little tired, but he still chuckled and smiled as I gave him a hug and kiss to say goodbye. I know we'll see each other again soon...someday...when the good Lord calls all of us home.
I miss you Kong Kong.
posted by Corrinne May | 8:38 PM
11 Comments:
My deepest condolences.
Born free is indeed apt for this.
Take care :D
I praise God for the faith of your Kong Kong. It is indeed sad to see loved ones leave us in this life.. but the assurance of seeing them again is sooo precious.
God bless your heart, Corrinne, and those of your family. =)
Your post reminded me of 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
Deepest condolences.
If you're a Christian, why are you wearing a revealing tube dress that exposes so much skin?
My condolences. I can understand how you feel because my dad passed away just 3 weeks ago. I chanced upon your song "Fly Away" when my friend told me that whenever he missed his late father this song eases it all. Listening to that song really brought tears to my eyes. That night I first listened to it I dreamt of my dad and he said goodbye. Something he did not do before he left this world.
your fly away meant alot to me. my friend who was a great fan of yours passed away in a hit-run accident in SG.
when you spoke about your kong kong, here i am, struggling with the daily tasks of taking care of my sick granny. somehow it struck a chord with me. yeah..
Apologies for the late condolences.
So sorry about your kongkong's passing. Passing is part and parcel of life, as I'm saying this, I am also undergoing the loss of my beloved grandmother recently.
May God bless your and your family and give you the strength to be strong. Take care and with warmest regards.
My condolence to you and family.
Fan of Corrinne's,
Sheryl
Hi corrinne. I was running a google when i stumble on this blog of yours today. My condolence to you. My kong-kong left my family begining of this year too =(. And to stanley, watever corrinne decides to wear or do is between herself and god. It is not for you to pass judgement on others. I'm not trying to act like a smarty pants or trying to provoke you, but i don't like the tone of your comment. To corrinne, keep on inspiring others with your songs! =) I love them.
heyz...just a fan of yours who passed by...listening to your songs somehow allows me to release the many pent up emotions that i may have...they are comforting and soothing...my deepest condolences fo having to lose someone so dear to you...i'll be waiting for your next album...take care...
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