Memories of a dear uncle

Increasingly I'm realising the importance of memories. Every memory is unique and once yours can never be taken away.

As I lost a dear church uncle yesterday after his tough fight with cancer, I sat in the funeral service pulling every single memory I have of him.

The day he first walked into church with his family. I remember his smile as he saw me play with his youngest son.

As a worship leader, I remember seeing him standing with arms stretched wide worshipping our Heavenly Father with sincerity and a heart of worship at his usual seat.

I remember his courage. He told his doctor when first told of his cancer that he wanted to go for his church camp before coming back for treatment. reason he said 'I'm getting baptised!'

I remember his fervour for the Lord as he clung to his faith and trusted the Lord to watch over Him.

I'm glad we sat at the same table during one of the rest stops for our church camp last year and shared durians.

I remember his laughter as he played with baby Joshua in the bus. How he insisted that the reason why joshua fell asleep in my arms was because i bored the baby to sleep. =)

The image of him playing spongebob uno with the children at camp is so vivid it seems like only yesterday i saw him sitting by the window sill at fraser's hill.

Recently as his condition got worse and he'd sit at the corner of the sofa in church, I sat down and had a chat with him. What we spoke about is unimportant. What's important is that we spent time together. Two people once strangers, now friends and in God's family, talking.

Although he's no longer physically here, he will remain in my thoughts and heart and one day I know I'll get to see him again.

It brings me comfort to know that he's now safe in the arms of our Lord and that where he is now there is no more pain and suffering.

I'll miss you Uncle Jeffrey... Will miss the gleam in your eyes when you talk about kong bak pau... Will miss being able to call 'Uncle Jeffrey'... but i know this separation is but temporal...

you have indeed fought the good fight, ran the race and kept the faith.