Today is the last day of my grandma's funeral. She passed away peacefully 5 days ago on 19 April 2023 at the age of 95. If I say I am not sad, that would be fibbing. She is a key person that enriched my childhood after all. However, I am not as devastated because I know she lead a fulfilling life and her demise actually had put an end to her torment as she was suffering from debilitating pain all over her body prior.

She was strong and healthy. She doesn't suffer from chronic illnesses such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease nor need to take any kind of medications. When she was 80 years old, she still had her hair dark and shiny. She would often help out my uncle in his mini market to pack onions and arrange newspapers despite being an octogenarian. She can still walk just fine without clutches.

Back then, she would visit our house frequently to take care for me and my siblings when our parents are out of town. She would accompany us and stay overnight at our house during the absence of my parents and wake up early the day after to tidy up our garden and grow plants with her green fingers. The garden would end up sparkling clean with exuberant foliage sprawling naturally over the garden. It was truly invigorating to saunter in such an immaculate and pleasant garden early in the morning.

Fast forward to 2019, months before the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic, her leg started to show signs of weakening and could not walk properly without special aids. We were anxious when she had accidentally tripped over a couple of times while working as it can be fatal for elderly person. To circumvent this from happening again, we advised her to stay upstairs and stop working (she was living with my uncle's family in the upper floor of a shop lot where my uncle's mini market is just below) and avoid using the stairs unless necessary. Since then, she hardly stepped out to get some fresh air outside.

At that time, she still have my Uncle Ken (pseudonym) who was unmarried to be by her side (who is also living with my uncle, which is his brother). He would take care of my grandma and chat with each other while my uncle's family were out and about. Unfortunately, Uncle Ken had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer and tragically passed away before her on last year.

Since then, me and my mom would often pay her a visit for chat and taking care of her personal hygiene alongside with my aunt. She was cheerful and often crack jokes in our light banter. It was wonderful, but surprisingly fleeting just as sunshine and roses don't last forever.

Things took a turn for the worse as she had been bedridden for the past 6 months since October last year as she was unable to harness enough energy to sit or stand anymore. It must be the most trying period for her for being snared on the bed and couldn't do anything including going to the toilet and feeding herself. I couldn't imagine myself lying on bed without any movement for such a prolonged period of time.

Her health further deteriorated months ago, as it had becoming difficult for her to verbally communicate and she can only mumble when she tries to speak. We couldn't understand her speech 90% of the time. Asides, we often hear her painful moan and shouts and we felt terrible as there was little to nothing that we can do to help mitigate her sufferings. Recently, her condition exacerbated as she was unable to respond to our queries anymore and always kept her eyes shut just like she was intentionally ignoring us. She refused to eat or drink and these series of weakening signs had eventually culminated her demise.

We had put up a 6-day long funeral for her and it was definitely a successful and most interesting funeral ever. All her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, relatives and friends came forward to commemorate her. The funeral was organized with rich Buddhism elements which comprise of numerous prayer chanting sessions, classical short drama, wishing ceremony, buffet meals etc. over the entire course. The funeral also cheered us up from the bereavement with their meaningful events by the organizer. We hope that she, as a devout Buddhist, had enjoyed all the show that we brought to her, together, one final time.

Now that the funeral had officially completed, it's time for the rest of us to move on and live the best our live can offer. We will continue her legacy for being a loving, benevolent and cheerful individual.

Always in our hearts, grandma. RIP.

The cover image was taken outside of my grandma's columbarium. The picturesque scenery is absolutely calm and pristine. Uncle Ken, grandpa and her sister-in-law are placed there as well. Wishing them the best in their reunion in the afterlife.