The news came from my father when he told me after I had my shower. I was stunned for few seconds and could not control my tears in the morning before heading to work. and those tears came down whenever i recall my precious times spend with Wai Gong.
When I was very young, my family and I would always come and visit him together with my late Wai Poh in Malacca and spend one to two nights over there. Whenever he saw my family, he always had a smile on his face. because of that, for every moments I met him, I shoked his hands and gave him a side hug.
In every visits, he always make every guest or relatives comfortable by offering drinks like Coke or Black Coffee and snacks. those visits were difficult for me as there was a slight language barrier between him and I. but as the day goes, I spoke to him in Mandarin and glad that we still could communicate although there were some awkward moments. Before my family and i head back to Ipoh, i never miss one single time of hugging Wai Gong to show some love.
Now about my Wai Gong himself. He was a very humble, simple and nice man. At his age 85, he was very fit as he practiced Taichi either himself or with his fellow friends. He was a passionate man just like my mum and loving grandfather to me and parent to my fellow uncles and aunties. He owned a Mango Tree just outside his simple house and whenever he was free, he would climb and pluck the mangoes himself despite his age. for those hard work that he did, he kindly gave those hard work of plucking mangoes to my relatives and families.
When I was in Primary School, I always mentioned this memorable stories in my BM essay and at that time, i realised how loving and dedicated my Wai Gong was. My mother used to tell me that last time he worked as a ice cream seller. That time he only use bicycle to sell ice cream and later on motorbike when got enough money. he never take this as an insult, but rather an encouragement and motivations to my uncles and aunties to study hard and live life to the fullest.
Once my fellow uncles and aunties were having their own family, they offered some money as a token to Wai Gong, but he reluctantly accepts those due to his humble personality. Even if he received them, he used those money as AngPao Money for his children and grandchildren. With this kind of personality, money seriously cannot buy this warm and loving personality of my Wai Gong.
I am so glad and honoured to have a Grandfather like him. With all the pain and suffering that he went through, I am grateful to be part of his family tree. Just like a tree, although the top part of the tree(Wai Gong) is no longer here, the roots(new generations) will live on and continue to carry his torch to build another new tree.
-Rest in Peace, Wai Gong.
I Love You Very Much and hope you will lead a better life and watch us from above-
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