Beautiful Farewell

“Ah Choon, I am leaving now. My time here has come to an end. I have done all I could for you. I can no longer look after you anymore, my beloved son. You have to take good care of yourself from now on. Be good. I will be looking over you from where I am going.”

And she was gone, forever…

That would have been a beautiful and memorable parting, no matter how poignant and reluctant it would have been. But she left quietly. No parting words, no good byes, no farewell kisses, no motherly hugs. She left, taking with her a big part of me. And then there was only an immense emptiness that ached for the soothing comfort only a mother could provide, one that will take many years to heal, or perhaps never.

Author: Peter Tan

Peter Gabriel Tan. Penangite residing in the Klang Valley. Blissfully married to Wuan. A LaSallian through and through. Slave to three cats. Wheelchair user since 1984. End-stage renal disease since 2017. Principal Facilitator at Peter Tan Training specialising in Disability Equality Training. Former columnist of Breaking Barriers with The Borneo Post. This blog chronicles my life, thoughts and opinions. Connect with me on Twitter and Facebook.

6 thoughts on “Beautiful Farewell”

  1. Galvin,
    My mother passed away two years ago. This is one of those times that I missed her and put it into words. Thanks for the thought anyway.

  2. It’s going to rain here in KL. Man…reading that made my eye teary.

    Cheers.

  3. Peter,
    There may have been no parting words. No parting hugs. No farewell kisses. But I guess you know fairly well that these are not important. What’s important is the love you have for each other, the love that keeps glowing brightly even after she has left. This is what links both of you. I am certain that she is looking, smiling on you from above. You know it. Just that you can’t provde it with any concrete indications. But we do not need any proof to know that someone who loves us is shining on us. Just know that she still loves you, and will forever cast a ray of hope and protection upon you. These are not words of comfort to make you feel momentarily better; rather, I just want to share with you that this could be another way of looking at this situation, which would have a longer-lasting effect than a moment of comfort.

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