A Sad Christmas Memory

December 26, 2008

The last time and the only time I can recall that my grandfather went to Philippines was more than 15 years ago. Although he never particularly said something to this effect, he did seem to like it here very much. Every day I would see him reading one Buddhist book with a sunset as the cover art. It was in Japanese, as Taiwaneses who grew up in the Depression era were all very fluent with Nihonggo. My gramps and I would also play card games, even if I knew I was just being boring to him most of the time. Sometimes, when we’re so bored, we would go outside and mingle with Filipinos. There were obviously great language barriers between my gramps and those Filipinos - my gramps did not speak Tagalog - but they did have fun even if it was mostly a result from watching each other’s culture with curiosity.

The most memorable day of those times was when my gramps and I celebrated our birthdays together. It was the only time I ever ate ice cream cake.

Now, come the season when ices, or snows, are the common sight in the less tropical part of the world, my grandpa passed away. It was on December 24, 2008. I am not the kind of person who minces word about mortality; I know life ends. I know there is no such thing as being with the person I love for eternity. I was also already prepared to hear this news, perhaps more than when I heard my mother side’s grandpa passed away, and when I heard my father’s side grandma - hence, this one’s wife - passed away. Still, it’s been really hard for me. There’s nothing that makes me more depressed than to think that my dad does not have any living parents anymore, and it always break my heart to see him sad.

I can only wish that my gramps will rest in peace, and have a great afterlife. I’m going back to Taiwan to pay him posthumous respect next January.


Posted by nightdreamer at 11:19 am | permalink

Previous Comments

I totally feel the same: although we saw it coming, what saddens me most is to think that dad does not have any living parents anymore.

Posted by Yin-Chu at December 27, 2008, 12:33 am

Sorry to hear that man. =[ Be strong.

Posted by Aurus at December 27, 2008, 11:23 pm

My condolences :( When my dad lost his mother this year, it really broke my heart to see him cry at her wake and funeral. He was not one to shed tears easily, after all. I could only imagine the pain of losing a parent.

Take care of each other in this trying time.

Posted by sh3lly at December 30, 2008, 2:01 am

I believe there is little else that completely turns a boy into a man than losing a parent. My sincere condolences to you and your family.

Posted by Pity at December 30, 2008, 10:06 pm

Thanks everyone.

Posted by nightdreamer at December 31, 2008, 2:12 pm

my condolences.

Posted by aajao at January 1, 2009, 7:38 pm

Hey. Sorry to read that. Chins up and courage.
xx
JS.

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