懷念您,徐周偉貞女士

媽媽離去後這幾天,我日間忙著處理這許許多多的後事手續和安排,在路上走着走着,天氣竟就像平日一般風和日麗,社會機器也如常繁忙運作,我也努力活似平常一樣,直至夜深人靜……

她彌留之際,我們趕到醫院加護病房,姊妹們已哭成涙人,看着她的最後一口呼吸停下,儀器訊號已呈橫缐……我輕撫著她仍微溫的額頭,努力在她耳邊柔聲說:耶穌愛您,媽媽您安心走吧,您的子女、媳婦、女婿、都在您身邊送您,因疫情而被隔離的女兒孫兒們,都在視頻旁邊陪着您,謝謝您養育了我們幾個長大成人,您在天家會再見到爸爸,他會迎接您。您好好走,不要怕,因我知道耶稣仍然愛您,就像八十多年前一樣……

時間,回到一九二八年,母親周偉貞出生於廣東中山小欖一個小康家庭,她排行最小,所以乳名叫阿七。據大姊憶述,她曾說外婆名何艶顏,乃全村最美的女子,外公幾經追求才娶入門,媽媽笑説姊姊盡得遺傳了,這算是我家的美談吧。母親小學還未讀完,戰亂已經南下,當時她幾個兒時玩伴和表姐妹,彼此守護相助,有好幾次還一起躱在床底逃避日軍,她們成為之後大半世紀的莫逆之交。我常奇怪她雖然學歷不高,但卻寫得一手不錯的娟秀字,有一次我偶然哼起一首聖詩「耶穌愛我亅,她竟說記得這歌,好奇追問下,她說小時候常到家附近一所基督教宣教士辦的主日學堂蹓躂,這歌就是那洋人女教師教唱的,我想,福音的種子就是這樣奇妙地撒在她心田,教會也提供了額外的教育機會。

和平後她來到香港,投靠在港工作的哥嫂,輾轉做過幾家工廠的女工。其時她的金蘭摯友們都相繼來港,機緣下就認識了她們的朋友,也就是後來我們的父親徐輔民。當時媽媽已有追求者,且是廣東同鄕,但媽媽最後卻揀選了這北方人山東漢子,在當時是頗為獨特的。媽媽後來憶述父親說喜歡她的聲音清脆,爸爸很善良細心,常輕聲喊她「小周」,我親眼見過爸爸寫給母親的信,錯字都是用小格紙貼上再改正的。說起爸爸,我記得小時候他會安排我們去家附近的教會聚會,並且給我們零錢奉獻,福音的種子就此在我家慢慢滋長。

婚後爸媽倆同在荃灣寶星紗廠工作,大姊二姊出世後我們從附近石屋搬到廉租屋,其時適值左右兩派暴動風潮,寶星正是震央,媽媽當時懐著我在戒嚴之下,走到健康院把我誕下。爸爸屬高個子當工廠警衞員,據母親説也捱了防暴警察幾棍才回家。我們就在這風雨飄搖中長大,後來妹妹出世了,環境漸漸安定,可是好景不常……

父親從前在山東曾經營小生意,貿易公司名「春申」,經常往返青島上海,可能應酬多喝酒關係弄壞了肝,逃難來港之後生活也實在拮据,無暇照顧好身體,終於中年後患上肝病。記得有一年春節,父親帶我往九龍拜年夜裏回家,當時已是小學生的我,仍然撒嬌要他背著,甫下巴士,爸爸就吐了一地,當下街燈昏暗,媽媽回家拿了手電筒回去察看,竟是一灘鲜血!可以想像她當時的難過和無助。自此,我記得母親不時會帶我們去元朗一間有教會背景的療養院探望爸爸。歲月艱苦,我雖從未聽過母親口中吐出一句怨言,但她悲觀的陰影從此揮之不去。

父親離世之後,幸得他的同鄕摯友丁濟民叔叔及舅父母,並母親數十年的患難之交華英姑姐、詠琴姨、仙梅姨等等親友無私相助下,终於咬緊日子把我們幾個養大成人。後來我有機會往外地唸書,母親常常提醒我也是得到親友們的諸般協助。天性善良勤儉的媽媽,總是默默工作,永不浮誇,從不攀比,但她常教誨我們「得人恩果千年記」,大抵就是這個意思,媽媽您放心,我們都記好了。

我們長大後各自成家,母親也退休安享晚年生活,她共有四子女八個孫兒五個曾孫,四代同堂,大家都和睦相處,互助互愛。媽媽常掛在口邊的是她有孝順的兒女,更有好女婿乖新抱,可見她視之為此生的驕傲。

平凡的日子知足過,就像典型的香港家庭,近十多廿年我們都不免各散四方,媽媽堅持住在荃灣老家,每天和鄰居打打牌看看電視閒話家常,也有傭人照料,自得其樂。但我心知道其實她多麼渴望有家人陪伴在側,只是體諒我們各有難處,也是默默的接受。媽媽心地善良,但不擅於交際,怕與陌生人應酬,有一年我邀請她去教會的懇親佈道會,牧師呼召,她也願意站上台決志信主,算是她的突破,雖然其後始終沒有參加教會聚會,但自此和她用膳她總會和我們一起謝飯感恩。

母親早年工作辛勞,晚年常感腰骨痛,也有失眠和眼疾,但整體算是健康,後來心臟出了毛病也得到適當治療。可是自去年開始她就進岀醫院好幾次,原因是長時間消化道輕微失血而要定期接受輸血。十月初她的病情輾轉反覆後急轉直下,適逢疫情嚴峻,我們到醫院探望受到限制,媽媽進食也有困難,想不到就此各項器官功能逐漸衰竭,竟一病不起,驚悔之餘,稍感安慰的是在她最後數天,所有在港的兒孫們都有機會到牀邊與她道別。

媽媽,謝謝您生我養我,我們若今天有什麼所成,也是您辛勞的果效。聖經詩篇説:「我們一生的年日是七十歲,若是強壯可到八十歲,但其中所矜誇的不過是勞苦愁煩,轉眼成空,我們便如飛而去。」天父祝福母親讓她年逾九十,兒孫滿堂,親友們都關心掛念,晚輩們無不讚賞她的和藹風趣,如沐春風……她此生也應無憾了。聖經傳道書又説:「凡事都有定期,天下萬物都有定時……神造萬物,各按其時成為美好,又將永生安置在世人心裏,然而 神從始至終的作為,人不能参透。」我卻知道總有一天,就是那個「定期」,我們會再見到媽媽,爸爸也會再聽到「小周」那清脆的聲音,輕唱着「耶穌愛我」。

兒子潔仁

媽媽真的走了,還以為會像前幾次病愈後,我帶着她開心地出院,沒想到今次她真的永遠離開我們了,想着想着,十分不捨,潸然淚下…

我是長女,當我出生時,因家庭環境種種問題,媽媽將我交給舅父舅母供養,由童年到長大出嫁,所以我們母女之間的回憶片段,印象不深。後來舅父母相繼離世,我自己亦成為兩子女之母,才較為明白做人母親的心思意念,開始學習如何與自已的媽媽相處。往後的日子我倆母女情誼慢慢增進,我更深感受到她溫柔慈愛,親切風趣的一面。媽媽時常記掛着子孫,但仍選擇自己獨立生活,想必是體諒我們各有難處吧!

我經常籌辦各種家庭聚會,旅行宿營等等,好讓她多享受兒孫天倫之樂。還記得一次,我與丈夫帶着媽媽及女兒去北京,她以81歲高齡,邊行邊講,遊覽故宮半天,精神面貌非常漂亮靈活。我在旁邊看着她,心生羨慕及充滿感恩呢!自此以後,她在家安享晚年,不願再出門遠行了。媽媽福壽雙全,兒孫滿堂,我們個個對她都愛護有加,她亦常說老懷安慰。

從去年9月開始,媽媽健康轉差,曾四次輸血,幸好都平安出院。今年10月情况更壞,需要再度入院。疫情期間不能探望,只能視像通話十幾次,看到她身體受苦,我們都心焦如焚,十分難過。她病情急轉直下,稍為安慰的是所有親人能及時在她牀邊話別。1117日我陪伴着媽媽,直至最後一刻她安詳離世。

媽媽再見了!不用擔心我們,大家都會永遠懷念着你,你已釋除地上的勞苦,在天家與爸爸相會,安享主懷!

女兒潔蓮

年青的時候曾經天真的以為結婚生子是件簡單容易的事,尤其是生養孩子好像沒什麼難度。看見人家的孩子嘻嘻哈哈就長大了。所以結婚後我毫不猶豫就生了兩個女兒。日子一天一天的過,才發現原來把孩子養大和教育成人真是要窮一生的精力。孩子成長的每個階段都是父母嘔心瀝血的傑作,又豈能說簡單容易呢!當自己親身經歷過,才能體會到父母當年帶大我們有多難了。我有多愛我的孩子,就知道我的父母有多愛我們。以您們當時的生活環境和經濟狀況,要養活四個孩子,供書教學,真是心力交瘁,有苦自己知。媽媽感謝您生養我們和無條件的付出把我們帶大,我們永遠懷念您!

還記得那年我們剛移民美國不久,您來三藩市探望我們,一家人開車出外渡假。去了迪士尼樂園,拉斯維加斯,大峽谷等等。我看得出來那幾天您是真的真的開心,您是真的放開懷抱去渡假。往後的日子您也常常提及這次旅行的經驗,眉飛色舞,引以為傲。我真的希望有機會再帶您去旅行,讓您再好好享受一次。

女兒潔儀

我們四兄姊妹中,我覺得我最似您,無論外貌,身型,性格及對食物之喜好,都與母親您極為相似。

隨着我年紀越來越大,回看自己的相片,真的與母親您有八成相似,連我的朋友也經常說我與婆婆極為相像,她們會說:你真的好似媽媽,成個你媽咪餅印。

媽媽與我們閒談時,經常說自己唔想照鏡,覺得自己好醜樣,我跟她說,您一啲都唔醜樣,您睇吓年青少女時的相片有多麽的漂亮 (家中客廳牆上,掛了多張母親年輕少女時期的相片,部份更是彩色的啊)。姊妹們回家飯聚,也經常對媽媽當年的時麾形像,讚賞不已,像您這樣的容貌也說不敢照鏡,咁我咪好慘!我唔似您年輕時咁靚,祇係似您年老時個樣喎!每次她聽到我這樣說,她就會開懷大笑地說:你咁多嘢唔似我,就係似哂我啲衰嘢!

我記得小時候,因為太鍾意食糖,所以經常牙痛,正所謂牙痛慘過大病,有一次我真的痛到想撼頭埋牆,媽媽看着我就跟我說:「阿女,冇辦法了,如果我可以幫你痛,我都想幫你痛,幫你受這個苦,但係唔得,我都不能幫你痛啊,你忍吓啦!」看是平常的一句說話,但足顯母愛嘅偉大,將永遠記在我心中。

在您這一生中,兒孫滿堂,兒女孝順,孫子成才,得享高壽,盡享兒孫福,實屬人生無憾,好好安息吧!

媽媽,一路好走,永遠懷念您!愛您!

女兒潔美

Loving memories of Mother-in-law

It is common to have conflicts between mother- and daughter-in-law but I have been blessed with an extraordinary mother-in-law.  For over 30 years, Mama has never said anything unkind to me.  She speaks only caring words. She is proud of her children, grand-children, great grand-children and children-in-law.  We are proud of her loving and giving heart.

She is the one who taught me to eat durian 榴槤.  The month after giving birth, Mama gave me cold durian in a jar. For years I thought durian was a detestable fruit because of the smell.  But she taught me how to appreciate its smooth taste and health benefits.  Now I love durian!  She also taught my helpers to cook soup with black-feet chicken. My health really improved significantly as a result of her wise experience.

Seeing Mama’s deteriorating health towards the last months was heart-breaking but we are glad that she is finally released from her ailing body.  We will meet her again in heaven and we can walk around without her wheelchair and aching back.

媳婦徐羅國彦

阿媽,我是阿明,相信您在回天家的路上,可能很忙,是否聽到、收到兒孫們心中的說話而感到喜悅和安慰呢?

那我也來凑凑熱鬧吧,有人話人生如夢,能像您一樣,得享高壽,兒孫滿堂,子女孝順,孫子成才,盡享兒孫福,人生實屬無憾,我們是中等人,您得享上等福,所以雖然您離開了,大家都為您感到寬懷。

阿媽,一路好走,好好安息吧,永遠懷念您 !

耀明

Dear Grandma

Your warm smile will forever remain in our hearts. I will miss the many family dinners we had together. You inspire us with your gentleness, kindness, and selflessness. Thank you for your many blessings. Your memory lives on enduringly, just like the sun rays over the Ting Kau Bridge.

Ian

Mama, Hope we can play your favorite mahjong together again when we reunite in heaven. I still need you to teach me how to 數番 ! Love you forever.

Zoe

還記得很多小時候的片段,我們幾家人一起去宿營、去聖誕化妝派對、新年一起吃公公包的餃子、去酒樓吃飯大人一圍、小孩們一圍……我心目中的婆婆愛美—每次影相之前都一定梳好頭髮,笑得燦爛,調皮愛說笑,喜歡看電視,打麻雀,常說公公的好,每次也捉著我的手囑我早點生孩子,並著我不要怕辛苦,家裡有孩子會很熱鬧。因著妳,我們現在連曾孫都有五個了!

多謝妳對這家的愛與付出,我們會永遠掛念妳的,妳和公公也不用掛心,我們會好好的,天家再見!

外孫女雅瑜

Dear Popo,

The last time I saw you was over a year ago. You were smiling from ear to ear because you were happy to see us. It is hard to imagine that a year later you have gone to heaven. I will never forget going to your house every Sunday to play with the cousins. It is my fondest childhood memory. Your apartment was always cozy and warm with all your children and grandchildren photo precisely hung on the mantel. I remember your black perm curly hair when I was little. I remember your apartment village and the plaza we used to play before dinner. I remember the car ride to Tsuen Wan. I remember the dumplings you and Gong Gong made. I remember you and I will tell my son about you. Rest in Peace.

Ying Ying

As a child, I remember our weekly trips to visit Popo and Gong Gong in Tsuen Wan. My cousins and I would spend the afternoon rummaging through their home, playing with whatever we could find and then proceed to enjoy a homemade meal together. Sometimes, Popo would set aside some dough from the dumpling making process just for me to play with.

I also had very fond memories of traveling with Popo, from taking a road trip to Southern California to flying overseas to Tokyo.  However, the time that I cherish most is the summer of 1996 when Popo spent three months living with our family in the San Francisco Bay Area.

I was a middle school girl on my summer break, tasked to keep Popo company while my parents went to work.  We spent our days walking Bagel (our dog) around the neighbourhood, taking photos by the vibrant rose bushes in our backyard, watching our favourite cantonese TV shows and occasionally enjoying a special treat like a teppanyaki lunch in Japantown. Our days were ordinary but they hold a very special place in my heart. Popo, we love you dearly and you will be missed!

Lum Lum

今天我們悼念婆婆並向她作最後告別。婆婆待人和藹,性格溫柔,想起公公以前帶我去歡樂天地,回家後和婆婆吃餃子,還有燕窩,很幸福滿足。

再見了婆婆,不用擔心我們,

請您一路好走,一路平安,永遠懷念您。

    孫兒衍維

Grandma, you may have left us in this world but you will always live on in our memories.

Our times spent together may have been relatively short but everything we had done together will always stay close to my heart.

I still remember you used to scare me with your dentures trick when I was a kid. You kept moving your dentures inside your mouth but in my eyes, you were moving your teeth. I kept trying and trying and was never able to do it. This bothered me for many years because I could not figure out what and how you did it until I was in high school and realized it was just your dentures. You have fooled me for so long but figuring this trick out was definitely one of my greatest achievements, at least in my eyes.

Grandma, I am glad you were able to attend my wedding with Natalie. We are happy and well together here in Canada so you don’t have to worry about us! I am grateful to have you in my life and thank you for your unconditional love. Goodbye grandma, I love you forever.

Grandchild

Brian

From the first moment I met por por, the first impression she gave me was already very warm and welcoming. She only knew me as her grandson’s girlfriend then, and yet she welcomed me with the sweetest smile and held my hands like I was her own granddaughter.

Por por, thank you for your unconditional love, I will always remember all the times we’ve spent together. I miss you dearly but as I grieve for you, I am finding closure knowing that you are in a peaceful and comfortable place now.

With love and fond memories,

Natalie

徐周偉貞女士安息禮

日期: 二零二零年十二月四日(星期五)
時間: 下午二時三十分
地點: 循道衞理聯合教會國際禮拜堂

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White Lily is passionate about creating opportunities for families and friends to honour their loved ones while receiving comfort and healing.

愛百合熱衷於令每一個安息禮,除為主家及其親屬帶來慰藉,更讓逝者得到尊嚴。

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