Every time I saw my dad’s long ears, I would laugh and say that he was going to have a long life. Sure enough, God blessed him with 91 years to live. Considering that he had the “3 highs” (blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol), his body and mind were relatively healthy and sharp like the average person.

On the surface, my dad seemed to have a very serious demeanour, but once you broke through that gap, and knew how to coax him, he could be very easy to get close to. In fact, as long as he found a topic that he liked or met a person that he could communicate well with, he would become very talkative and showed his bright and humorous side.

I admired how my dad honoured his parents and his loyalty to God. The most impressive moment was when my grandmother passed away in Shantou and my parents brought my eldest brother, me and my husband along to attend the funeral. While others knelt to pay respect to my grandmother, we stood and paid tribute silently instead. My dad had explained to his relatives to gain their understanding ahead of time about his position and principles as a Christian. My dad’s actions that day gave a beautiful testimony to all of the relatives and friends present.

In recent years, his health began to deteriorate. About 1 year ago, his eyesight was getting poorer and he was having difficulty reading the Bible, so I started to record ‘Our Daily Bread’ for him so that he could listen to God’s word daily and gained strength in his walk with God. There were a few times when I had forgotten to record, he would immediately remind me. Seeing that made me really admire his desire to pursue God’s Word.

About 2 months ago, a friend reminded me to seize the opportunity to express my appreciation and gratitude to my dad, but I told her that we didn’t usually communicate that way and it would be unnatural for me to bring it up. However, after she mentioned this, it was constantly on my mind and I knew that I needed to find a time to tell him, but I just couldn’t find the right words and right moment!

3 days before my dad passed away, the same friend knew that he was getting very weak and she asked me if I had prayed with him. I replied that I was not used to openly praying with my dad, but that I often pray for him in private. I found myself making excuses every time!

Dad, when I saw you in the hospital that day with your blood pressure and heartbeat dropping, I knew that the time was coming and God was going to take you to Heaven soon. Brother urged us to say our final words to you quickly. I was still hesitating at that moment, but I felt the Holy Spirit working in my heart and I found the courage to tell you through prayer how grateful I am to you. Although I regret and blame myself for using so many excuses and not taking the chance to tell you earlier, I believe that while your breath was getting weaker at that moment, you could still hear and feel my affirmation and gratitude for you.

Dad, you seemed to have passed away peacefully in your sleep. I am glad you are freed from the toil of the world and are now resting in the arms of the Lord. At this moment, you are in Heaven with my mom and my eldest brother and one day, thanks to the grace of God and His promise of eternal life, we will be reunited!

Anita