Today I brought Cass to attend the wake of our very close friend’s mother. AY’s mother passed away two days ago from pneumonia. She had been battling cancer for 6 years, won the battle but succumbed to pneumonia. At the wake, Cass kept nudging hubs and I to bring her to see aunty ‘sleeping’ in the casket. Hubs and I were reluctant. Truth is, we did not have the balls to go face to face to say goodbye to her. After badgering me persistently, I finally brought Cass into the house and walked her to the casket. I stood a few feet away from the casket but could still see aunty inside. Cass was very brave. Well, she has always been very brave since she was a baby with her frequent hospital trips and stays. He followed AY to the coffin, tip-toed and gazed at aunty. She was not a wee bit frightened but was nervous seeing someone inside a coffin for the first time in her life.
At the foot of the casket, I said my farewell to aunty with Cass next to me. I told Cass that aunty has gone to be with Jesus in heaven. I told Cass to say “goodbye and RIP aunty”. Before we left the house, Cass and I bade our goodbyes to aunty again. Later in the car, I asked how she felt seeing a departed lying inside a coffin for the first time and she nonchalantly told me “nothing. Not scary and ugly also. Just like someone sleeping and she looked peaceful”. I am glad Cass took it very positively.
I will always remember celebrating my very first mother’s day as a mother with aunty, AY, his girlfriend and ‘captain’ (that’s how she called my hubs). Hubs and AY are as close as brothers and he calls hubs captain – as in captain of the basketball team. Alycia was only 6 months old then. Though AY is a celebrity, he is nothing near arrogant but is a very down to earth and humble man. I still have the picture of aunty having dim sum with us on Mother’s Day at Sheraton Subang in May 2004.
To aunty, I wish you farewell. You are now in a better place with Jesus forever. Rest in peace aunty. We shall miss you.
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