life.death

within a few weeks, there are in total three deaths that you heard of.  one of them is the mum of a dear sister in the church, you were sorry because you're not there to care for her, be around her during the difficult period due to your traveling. 

just yesterday, you learned that one of the church leader's wife has just called by the Lord in jakarta after years fighting with colon cancer. 

and today, 10am asia time, your dearest third uncle (your mum's younger brother) also return to the Lord.  his departure were sudden. he has been healthy all these while but the last few weeks his health has gone sudden down hill and admit to icu since.

you were really quite emotional with the news of your third uncle. you don't have many relative left back home, let alone someone who's quite close to you throughout your childhood. the memory is still very sharp that spent an afternoon at his place last christmas. and this christmas, he is not going to be there.

wanting to talk to someone, you called your elder auntie (your mum's elder sister) in hong kong, and came to surprise that she didn't know about it, when you broke the news and you wept, in the office, at your desk.  there's no point to control your tears.

the three deaths bring you to really ponder about life. life is certainly fragile. the only upside you know is, all three of them are gone because their time is up on earth.  they are now sitting in heaven. the separation is just temporal.

frankly speaking you are not afraid of death anymore.  not since the great earthquake in japan.  

cherish life while you can, spend time with your love ones, seize every moment to express your love to people you love.  never leave any unforgiveness behind. live your life to the fullest. do God's will, live out His will in your life.  fear not about death, for death is just the beginning of eternity and you know eternity is not a fantasy, nor a fairy tale.  it is real and it's only by faith you can know about it.  may the Lord rest his soul and comfort those he has leave behind.

hebrews 11:1 now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen

p/s: the photos were taken at floriade 2012 - an illustration called willowman, by will beckers. you chose them because the first impression when you saw this was solemn, and today you want to be solemn and pay the last respect to your third uncle.