Father In China (2005)
Today is our first Ching Ming prayer for our Father who passed away last July 2005. We have missed him oh so dearly. Father would be 81 years old this year if not for his passing and he has always been in my mind even though eight months had since gone by and it certainly brought much pain to me just by remembering him. Oh well, coming back to reality, somehow we must learn how to deal with separation isn't it? Still.....*sob* *sob*Father was a very optimistic man with a heart of gold for people, more so in the China Village, Meixian where he was borned. I am glad that I was able to accompany him and my Mom to visit our homeland and shared that special moment with him. It was a yearly ritual by Father to travel back to China and pay respect to his ancestral home and it was my most memorable trip to walk down memory lane with Father and to visit the village house where he was borned.
I am thankful my Father had imparted such strong values in me and my Brothers and we gained his wisdom and take on his compassionate and great empathy for others. I am happy to note that all of us did all we could to be with him and most importantly be filial to him as well when he was with us. The song "Never Gone" by the Back Street Boys always brought back fond memories of my Dearest Dad, he is:
Never gone, never far
In my heart is where you are
Always close, everyday, every step along the way
Even though for now we've gotta say goodbye
I know you will be forever in my life
Yup, Father stays in my heart everyday :P
Qing Ming Jie (variant Ching Ming - means "clear and bright") is All Soul's Day for the Chinese and it falls on the third lunar month or early spring, usually on 5 April. It is a time to remember the dearly departed and to pay respect to one's deceased ancestors and family members and it reinforces the ethic of filial piety.
