After battling many, many years of a nervous system disease which caused his movements to very, very gradually deteriorate, and weakening health - at the end of his life, when he is bedridden and could barely control his limbs, he had a severe case of pneumonia causing him to gasp for every breath he takes. It did not come as a surprise since his health has not been great for many years but it did shock everyone in the family. It was heartbreaking to see this brilliant, capable strong man, is unable to tell his family his last words.
My heart breaks every time I look at him in the eyes because unlike most stroke patients or bedridden patients who are not alert or barely even thinking anymore - My ErJiu was alert all the time, a very smart man and a very capable one. He did not even leave his job for years even after being diagnosed with this disease. That was how intelligent he was and how active his brain still is.
The past one month has been graceful to him with palliative care administered to him, also grandchildren calling out to him. Just yesterday early morning 3am, he passed away peacefully in his bed.
This was him in 2008. Although his health has started to deteriorate then but he was still cheery and full of life. He still laughs in that scary voice and his stares are a tad daunting to look back at. I was a little girl then, scared of every uncle that comes my way and asks intimidating questions. Gah.
I remember when we were little, he used to tell us that working for palm oil industry - "IS THE BEST!"
I still don't know why but when he said it, it was so convincing.
When Dajie and Liyen had chickenpox, my parents left them in JB and tagged along ErJiu's family to Genting. I remember how he will bring me to the washroom and laugh at how many layers of pants I wore. *Well, it was my mom who put on four layers of sweater pants for me - NOT ME.*
Er Jiu, you will be forever missed and I will always remember that hysterical laughter of yours when playing mahjong.
My heart breaks every time I look at him in the eyes because unlike most stroke patients or bedridden patients who are not alert or barely even thinking anymore - My ErJiu was alert all the time, a very smart man and a very capable one. He did not even leave his job for years even after being diagnosed with this disease. That was how intelligent he was and how active his brain still is.
The past one month has been graceful to him with palliative care administered to him, also grandchildren calling out to him. Just yesterday early morning 3am, he passed away peacefully in his bed.
I remember when we were little, he used to tell us that working for palm oil industry - "IS THE BEST!"
I still don't know why but when he said it, it was so convincing.
When Dajie and Liyen had chickenpox, my parents left them in JB and tagged along ErJiu's family to Genting. I remember how he will bring me to the washroom and laugh at how many layers of pants I wore. *Well, it was my mom who put on four layers of sweater pants for me - NOT ME.*
Er Jiu, you will be forever missed and I will always remember that hysterical laughter of yours when playing mahjong.
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