Friday, December 8, 2006 ;
11:02 PM
5 dec 2006 6am
An old friend from church, Marvin, died suddenly in his sleep. I had known him since Pri 4 or 5 and we were the same age. We often played together, joined church camps, and went out on outings to Sentosa and Science Centre etc up till JC when I moved house and changed to another congregation. I was and am still very affected by it.
His story appeared in several papers (Chinese and English) because it was very sudden and he had always been very healthy. Also, it is really very sad because his wife is almost due to deliver their baby girl.
The English story online on The New paper can be read here:
http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/printfriendly/0,4139,118908,00.html"He'll never get to see his baby girl
He tells wife, 'I feel cold' before going to bed
At 2am, he is shivering
At 5am, he dies
WITH his wife seven months pregnant and a baby girl on the way, Mr Marvin Kwek Soon Kiat had a lot to look forward to...."
I attended his wake and a memorial service last night with ds and some church friends. I can feel very much for his wife, seeing her so sad, but trying to be strong, and being so pregnant. Having gone through 2 pregnancies, I know the hubby's role is very impt, and yet she had to lose this pillar of support.
I was also very upset because although we were close when we were young, I did not keep in contact with him after JC or Uni when we were all so busy with our own lives. Seeing him lying in the coffin, no longer able to joke and laugh as he always did already affected me. Then when we were singing the hymns of consolation, I couldn't take it and started crying, as did some others.
He had always been so healthy, fit and the garang kind. He was in the NCC in Sec sch and I still remember clearly how he was so happy to be selected for a parachuting course not many had the chance to go for. Then he was always active and even joined the army for 6 yrs. It is just so shocking.
I still haven't gotten over losing a friend just like that. I have learnt a few lessons though: always try to maintain close friendships; treasure life because it may end suddenly; treat all my loved ones better (e.g. my parents, and my kids and dh) so i will not regret not showing how much i love them in case i or they died suddenly... Cos sometimes I am impatient with my loved ones, and i feel very bad after that, yet i don't usually apologise, think esp to my mom... So... must try and live without regrets... Most importantly, be a good Christian so even if i die or my loved ones die, we will still meet in heaven one day.
rainbows every day, do not worry for the morrow
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