In Loving Memory of Chiang Wee Tiong

To my beloved brother Wee Tiong:

You are the 6th eldest of 9 siblings, and we were lovingly brought up by a caring mother who was widowed at 32.Even though we disagreed at times, there was and always will be an unbreakable bond between us − that we are blood brothers.
Even though you had often been comical in cracking a joke or two or being less sensitive in your comments which might be hurtful to some, your heart meant no
harm and always wished the best of your friends and foes. Your generosity had touched the lives of many of your friends and siblings.
It is often said that the person’s eulogy is more important than his/ her curriculum vitae and your life has borne the truth of this saying. The eulogies given by your close friends, associates, family members and the time line of your life’s achievements all attest to the fact that you are a caring friend and father.
I will miss you dearly, my beloved brother − your generosity, jokes and brotherly love.
I hope the following poem is a comfort to your family, that your physical presence will always be missed by your friends and siblings as the fond memories of you linger on.. ……
Adieu and goodbye my brother till we meet on heaven’s yonder shores where sufferings and tears will be no more.

Your loving brother Roy Cheo (蒋)
10.8.2021

Goodbyes©

“In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” Jn14:2, KJV.

“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of age.” Mat28:20, NIV.

“Goodbye is the hardest thing to say to someone who means the world to you, especially when the goodbye isn’t what you want.” Unknown

Goodbyes and welcomes come and go,

The pages of life’s book are daily written as we go through life’s show.

Words expressing thoughts are written, punctuated by commas and full stops,

For some mortals the pages of the book are cut short,

For others the pages turn on and on until when their life eventually comes to a halt.

Welcomes are often greeted with open arms,

But goodbyes are of two types – temporary or permanent as life unfolds its big palm.

Temporary ones are like broken branches of palm lines on the hand palm which eventually join up,

But permanent goodbye is like the life line truncating at the base of your palm without exits but only down and out.

The number of goodbyes and welcomes account for the length of the book,

But unspoken goodbyes are often sprinkled across the book’s various corners and nooks,

One must not judge a book by its length, but rather by the unspoken goodbyes and sentimental thoughts sprinkled across the book.

Some may be fortunate to say and pen their last good bye,

But some may not have time to say their last goodbye as the angel of death passes by,

Goodbyes leave those behind to mourn and cry.

Permanent goodbye often touches one’s soul.

Is the book now finished and foregone?

Or rather is it unfinished, and the unspoken and unwritten thoughts and memories
lingered on?

©Copyright 2018 Roy Cheo 12.5.18

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