Forever Friends - Dedicated by Jessica Ong

Forever Friends

I will never forget the feeling of reluctance when God decided to bring Kevin home on Sunday, 19th October 2008.

This editorial is written, specially dedicated to a very good friend - Kevin Yeo.

1 year and 4 months ago, Kevin was diagnosed with Germ Cell Tumor, a very rare cancer.

Though the road to recovery was uncertain, Kevin possessed the will to fight for his life. His challenging battle with cancer was like sailing on a raft in the deep blue sea, constantly being hit by treacherous weather.

There is no known cure. Kevin accepted all types of treatment, underwent numerous operations with the bravery of a giant. He had undergone various chemotherapy, stem cell treatment and radiotherapy. Many would have given up. Kevin persevered!

Kevin’s journey was supported very much by his beloved wife. Both held on to the faith and walked through this journey of complicated trials and never ending tribulations. The couple, family and friends prayed hard to God for willpower and strength.

We asked God for his grace to ease this couple from such cruel pain physically and emotionally. Battle after battle, the couple held their hands tightly and continued the course.

Having known him for more than a decade, Kevin brought laughter and cared a lot for us. He would always give more than what he takes. Despite all the pains and discomfort, Kevin never neglected us, his friends. When we visited Kevin in hospital or home, he always apologized for not being host enough and thanked us for the slightest gratitude. He would try his best to entertain us with his jokes.

I am fortunate and honored that Kevin made me his friend.

“Dearest Kevin, It was very difficult to see you depart but I am assured knowing that you are in the arms of the Lord now, without suffering and pain.

I thank you for your every effort to fight the battle not only for yourself, but for the people around you; I thank you for all the joy you gave all of us. Though you are physically separated, your presence remains close to our hearts

Rest in Peace, my dearest friend.”

Forever Friends

Jessica Ong

A Tribute to Kevin - By Sis Lynette

In sweet memory of Kevin

The day before Our Lord took Kev home, the last words he said to me – “I love to ka-zho mum” (Ka-Zho is a Malay slang for making fun in a playful manner) and he gave a cheeky smile. Though grown thin and feeble, with a different physique, that was still so KEVIN!!!

This was the Kevin I knew and will always know.

Dearest Kevin,

With a grateful heart I pen this.

For loving my little vivacious sister deeply, I thank you

For being family, thanks heaps!

Your unceasing encouragement in the 6 years we slogged together is now edged in my mind “look forward; never back” – I thank you

Your infamous “hey, chill man … chill” when my overly-anal mode kicks in. Thank you, I will consciously remember to take a pill and chill.

In the 11 years Siang and I were together, you dropped frequent, yet gentle reminders that Siang loves me heaps and he WILL marry me ONE DAY!! – I thank you

2 years ago, Siang and I did marry and you were beaming – I thank you again

In the 16.5 months you battled, with more bad days than good, somehow our family had more laughter than tears – I thank you.

When in great pain, you could still ask “How’s work? Have you eaten? How’s everyone?” Life’s burdens suddenly shrink in size, stress melts away, perspectives are turned 180◦ - My Deepest thanks

Out for meals, with the wheelchair and the works, you would still crack a silly joke or as Linda puts it, give one of your “which is worse” analogies which sets us roaring with laughter. Indeed, there is a lighter side to life – I thank you

2 months have passed - we still miss you sorely. But I thank you for all the memories that will always be edged in my mind, that will give me the push on bumpy days, that will bring more smiles than tears and sometimes even a silly laughter …..

Will we have more laksa parties? Yes Yes!! Will we bake more breads? We will! Will we visit your favorite food haunts, relish your favorite food, re-live your silly jokes? – We already have! Will we still blow candles at birthdays? Definitely!! … Because we know you would want us to.

Till we meet again ……My warmest thanks.

Much Love,

Lynette (Scissors)

~ We thank God for you and for letting us be part of your journey ~

We Love You
Mum & Dad
Gerald, Delvien & Matthew
Siang & Lynette

2008 - Coming To A Close

So quickly did 2008 come by and as quickly or even more quickly at times did 2008 come to a close.

When I look back at the chain of events, it felt like I have just completed a 100 episode TVB or Korean drama. However, not all events bring tears to my heart, actually many events do bring a smile to both my face and my heart!

When I take the train or bus to work, I love to think of the happy moments. I can imagine the other commuters thinking who this crazy woman is, sitting there just smiling to herself.

I remember the funny Kodak moments when Kevin took my clothes to wear, just needing to make the statement that he lost alot of weight..... he even wore my extremely old and worn out Mickey Mouse Big T (which I wore for the longest time). After taking my bath, I found him in that Big T, lying on my bed looking so sheepish :) My did I really laughed out loud for 5 good minutes!

He had also attempted in looking demure while wearing the neck support pillow on his head....meaning to look like the court ladies of the ancient Korean dynasty as shown in the infamous Jewel In The Palace serial. Ha ha ha.... I am now smiling while describing the scenes in the blog.

As he always loved rock music, he would suddenly take on a part of Aerosmith or Bon Jovi and sing an im-promtu song about his battle in life with cancer. However, although the lyrics were laden with emotions, he made it lively just like a rock concert (of course this concert only lasted for 1 song) and we both end up laughing at the end of the song.

Loving food, he was a real critic with all that he ate. At times my mum's food was too colourful, the soup was too salty, the noodles were tasty, the dessert just right, fresh fruits didn't have enough oomph and taste, the spaghetti was cooked Al-Dante and many more colourful descriptions. It was actually interesting to hear his comments both encouraging and critical but being the gallant gentleman he was, he would smile and say "Although it was not that nice, but still, thanks for the meal".

In a typical day, he would try to wait for me to come home for dinner but if he was too hungry, he would slowly take his meal so that I would be able to join in at the tail end. We would then go for a stroll downstairs and end off the day with a prayer together. At times, we would go cranky over certain TVB dramas and we would watch them till we both lack sleep in the earlier part of the year.

When the sudden urge comes to whip up a meal while I wasn't working, we would head down to compasspoint and we would buy so many ingredients, we had to load them onto his lap while being on the wheelchair. It was good fun, discovering what we would come up with. I won't forget how we were hunting for dried yeast....an elderly man took pity on the two of us staring at the shelves while talking out loud how dried yeast was packaged, and he stretched out his hand and pick out a box which was just right before our eyes. Kevin then later said "Oh, so embarrassing, he probably think we were blind :) "

We did have plenty of fun time in our little weekend car which we took on to facilitate Kevin's travelling. This little car went places as we drove and drove and drove. Kevin once told me he loved driving so much that he actually did think of getting a taxi license previously.... "might as well earn money while doing the thing I love". An image of Kevin happily chatting with all his passengers.... hmmm!

In fact, while I am writing this blog, I have in front of my keyboard an old picture which I found with him driving a MPV which we hired for our 8 day north trip in Perth. Although the photo only captured his side view, the joy and excitement is evident!

Well, there are much much more colourful stories to tell, I know I will never run out of the funny and interesting experiences my beloved left for me to reminisce. For those fortunate few, I wonder if you remembered his "Which is worse" analogies! Although they often make my eyes roll, they in fact did make my day!

Cheers to Kevin for all the unforgettable moments!