I guess after the death of a loved one, it is apt to be thankful for Life. I believe that is the way that your loved one who passed away would like you to live as well - to keep calm and carry on.We attended the funeral of my grandmother over the past few days. It was a simple, traditional funeral which included a lot of monks praying and chanting. My family do not believe in the Buddhist rites performed, but we took part out of respect to my grandmother and her beliefs. The little pumpkin was there but she did not take part in the funeral proceedings because she was too young. I'm glad that the little pumpkin managed to meet her great-grandmother at least once before she died though. Having descendants is very important in Asian families, so I'm sure my grandmother was happy to be able to live and see her great-grandchild growing well.
Being at the funeral, made me reflect a lot on my own life. Have I been living it the way that I wanted to? Have I been treating the people I love right? If I died right now, have I done all that I wanted?
If I were honest with myself, I think the answers to all the questions would be "no", actually. There's a lot more that I want to do, and a lot more that I can do for the people I love, be it family or friends. I have a tattoo at my lower back which says 「我が人生に悔いなし」, which literally means 「no regrets in my life」. I got it in my *ahem* younger days when youths live fearlessly and dreams are alive. Then somehow, things slowed down and the monotonous "duties" of being an adult came along.
The tattoo and its meaning kind of slipped away. But, I remember it now and its meaning is even more poignant amidst the recent events. Cherish your living loved ones, chase your dreams, and live a life of no regrets. And be thankful for Life that you still have the opportunity to do those things. Don't wait until it is too late, just do it.
Thank you to those who sent their well wishes and kept us in your prayers. I hope that you too will be living life to the fullest.
Sharing at Jess's today since Kate is away on hols!
18 comments:
So sorry for your loss. Very nice post on things that aren't so easy to think about. I have mulled these issues over a lot this year. Take care!
Sherry
Sakura, u r bec finally...hope everything is settle down rite now...Hope to hear from u soon.
Angeline
Thanks for the concern Sherry and Angeline. Yes we are back in Singapore now and slowly getting bk into the swing of things..
Sorry to hear about your grandmother. Even when people are older and it's expected, it's still hard.
I went to the funeral of a 34 year old mother in April, who had died from cancer, and that made me ask the same sort of questions. Life reallynis short, and we waste so much of it. Thanks for the reminder to live with no regrets!
so sorry to hear about your loss.
i quite like your saying about regrets, will write it down for myself as a reminder.
regards from unexpectedly warm (for this time of year, we call it indian summer) europe
Stopping by from the blog hop. My thoughts are with you, appreciating life is a great thing.
I was already a follower :) but I started a blog myself and would love if you followed back! :)
http://OneMomsMoxie.blogspot.com
She just gets cuter and cuter!
Thanks for the wonderful reminder. I too like to live thinking that there are no regrets. So much easier said than done though. Fairy wishes and butterfly kisses to you
I am so sorry again!!! I lost my grandmother in August and it was a very hard time in my life. hugs!
Hugs for your loss, it not easy to lose those you love and it really does make you reflect.
Your lil one is a doll :) TFS
So very true! Sorry for your loss! What a nice post though in remembrance of her!
so sorry about your grandmother.. I love your tattoo saying, so true and really makes you think!
Sorry to read about your grandmother and sending you my condolences and well wishes...
Thanks too for joining my blog hop, I appreciate it very much. I will also like your facebook page when I login next time... :-)
Elizabeth
I'm glad your daughter got to see her great-grandmother. My husband's grandmother held on until she saw our oldest child and then she passed away a few weeks later.
I'm hopping around for the Follow Me Friday Alexa hop.
sorry for your loss,
it is always sad to loose someone that we love,
So sorry to hear about your grandmother! Funerals are never easy, especially when it is a relative! Hugs!
i am so sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you and your family.
Helps reading such supportive words. Thanks lovely ladies..
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