Grandma's passing

After 3 weeks of food gallivanting, Bi Ee Ean finally bid us farewell and returned to Adelaide on April 1st.  The same day, mom came over from JB.  The timing was excellent as Andrew would be away for Pastors' School for the next 3 days.

One of the advantages of moving to KL is my eldest aunt is staying in Puchong.  So, after staying with us for a couple of days, my mom went over to stay with her for a few days before returning on Wednesday morning.  With the help of the GPS, I managed to fetch her back all by myself.    

But at midnight mom received a call from my aunt.  Grandma was hospitalized and my uncle planned to make a trip to Segamat at 6am that morning.  So, I drove my mom over to my aunt's place at 5am and back in time to prepare the kids to school.

Apparently Grandma complained she was suffering from breathing diffculty and finally they sent her to hospital that evening.  She went into coma the following morning.  However, later that evening she woke up.  But her condition worsen on Saturday and the doctor advised to pull the plug by Sunday morning. 

When I heard that saddening news on Saturday evening, I decided to make a trip down on Sunday morning.  Again, this was the first time I drove all the way to Segamat from KL all by myself.  The kids were with me.  Andrew was preaching on Sunday morning hence couldn't come along.  We reached Segamat around 11:15am.  However, around 10:40am my sis called me and said grandma has passed away. 

I stayed for awhile before making my way back to KL again as Elyse has handbell performance that evening.  We left at 1:15pm and estimated to arrive at 4:30pm.  It was quite rushing as 5pm is the service.  Elyse managed to grab a bite before running over to join the handbell.  Meanwhile, I contacted her teacher to ask about taking a day off from school on Tuesday.  Usually it isn't an issue but coindentally she is sitting for her exam these two weeks. 

Monday morning Andrew had to conduct a funeral for a church member.  Children went to school as usual but they skipped the afternoon class.  We left KL around 2pm and reached Segamat at 5pm.  The wake and funeral were done according to Buddhist rite.  We didn't join the rite but simply stayed put.  I am utterly surprised to see not many of my cousins turned up for the wake and funeral services.  At the same time, the family is more open-minded now.  Not forcing anyone of us who are Christian to join the ceremony.  It wasn't so when my grandpa passed away.  My sis and I helped with the collection of the 'pek kim' (donation for the deceased family) that evening.

Andrew took off so he needed to inform the church office the reason.  Ps Ricky asked the office to send a wreath and he told the LCEC about it.  But since Andrew only told them on Monday evening, he was afraid that the wreath couldn't be delivered in time as the next day noon we were leaving for burial.  So, he told the office no need to send.  A few church members passed the 'pek kim' to me and conveyed their condolences.  For that I am grateful.

Tuesday morning, more chanting and buddhist rite but finally we left for the burial ground at 12:30pm.  Grandpa was also buried at the same place.  This was my first time visiting grandpa's tomb after he passed away when I was 12. 

Came back around 3pm and rushed back to KL immediately.   Tiring trip and Erwyn fell ill on Wednesday evening.  He had a temperature hence didn't go to school on Thursday.  Andrew is also not feeling well. It's Holy Week and many services ahead.  But I am glad to be there with the family at this moment of grief.