Grandpa passed away
Grandpa passed away on the day I arrived home just before the last Christmas. It was a weird week that followed, beginning my holidays back home after several years overseas.
Weakly could he still nudge his head when he saw me standing beside his bed that morning, but it was a swift deterioration, and he passed away – so quickly – about nine hours later.
In retrospect, should I have spent more time with him earlier the day? Should I have insisted more strongly for him to be admitted to hospital earlier? I don’t know; in retrospect there will always be many what-if’s and if-only’s. But I’m thankful I arrived home in time when he still had enough consciousness left to recognize me. I know he had always wanted to see me for the years I was away.
In the week that followed with the funeral service and relatives visiting, I realized, too, that there are many things so close, yet not usually talked about.
What other times in our lives do we talk about finding a good and suitable cemetery to buy a spot, in preparation for the future? What other times in our lives are we so open, even in the extended family about life, death and the next generations?
So I suppose I have grown up, my friends are getting married, my parents are soon retiring, and my young cousins now able to walk and talk. The people I have around me – many so very dear – are changing, and will not be around forever. Sometimes this is closer than we think.
Indeed we are all but a mist, that appear for a little while and then vanishes. Yet God has set eternity in the human heart. It amazes me, but I know many avoid the topic.
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oming to you
from a junior doctor who is color-blind, cleft-lipped and left-handed — this is where
I largely write about my
somewhat weird and wonderful encounters in Medicine. I wish,
though, more often than not,
that I could rather spend my days
drawing colorful pictures and bringing stories to life...... -
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Oh, Joseph, I’m so sorry for your loss. I just lost my great aunt last week. I had very similar thoughts and regrets. I wish I had known her better.
It’s really so strange to sit and think about how time moves as we grow. I think it’d scare me a lot more if I didn’t have faith in God’s providence. We have so much comfort to find as Christians, both in life and in death.
Take care of yourself.
hey <insert your real name here ;p >, thanks so much for the comment. yup, i totally agree that tomorrow and uncertainties don’t scare as much because of our knowledge of and relationship with God.
you take care too :)
Internet assumptions! I’ve never even properly introduced myself. My name’s Jordan. :)
Hi Jordan, pleased to meet you :) *shakes hand*