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Today is a very important day for my sisters and I. With a heavy heart we bid
farewell to our Mother, who had always been the center of our lives. As long
as we live, Mother had been by our side in joy and in sorrow.
Mother lived a whole century, from the beginning of the 20th century, 15th
December 1902, till the beginning of the 21st century, 15th March 2002. She
experienced a lot: two World Wars, two economic crises, and many more, which are not so important in world history, but was significant in her personal life.
Mother married Father, Euw Jong Boen Sen in the year 1920, and they were
blessed with 6 daughters who, in turn, blessed them with 23 grandchildren and
33 great-grandchildren. Each birth and death, wedding and divorce, joy and
sorrow was important for Mother. After our Father died, she lived with one
of her daughters, but she continued to give her attention to the other 5
daughters as well.
She was 80 years old when she could no longer go to the market to do her daily shopping, but she continued to cook. Her cooking was always well received, because they were delicious. These recipes were from Mother's grandmother, who looked after her since her own mother passed away at the age of 26.
Eventually, in her 90s, she had to let go her daily routine of cooking and
sewing, and this active person had to retire. She used to complain that her days are difficult to bear without any of her regular activities, and without her numerous friends, who had passed away before her. This is why Mother had let go of her life in this world in peace. She was quite prepared and had selected the outfit she wanted to wear on what she called "her big birthday". Her duties were done -- her knowledge and skills had been passed on to her children and grandchildren.
We are resigned in letting go of our Mother. Though when I saw her in her final resting place, she looked so old, so weak, which made me question if she could continue this final journey by herself.
Then I was reminded of an incident during the Japanese occupation. Mother and her 4 daughters and a few other female relatives had to evacuate to Sukabumi, whereas my oldest sister, Jule, and myself stayed in Batavia. One day Mother came to fetch us. It was only during this arduous journey to Sukabumi that I realized how difficult it must have been for her to come all that way to fetch us all by herself. The train was packed, most passengers had to stand in the aisles. In the middle of the journey we had to step out and walk 2 kilometers because a bridge had been demolished by the Dutch. As soon as we
got to the other side of the river, we had to scramble to secure a place for ourselves in the train that was waiting there. Mother was incredibly brave to have traveled on her own to Batavia and return to Sukabumi with 2 young teenage daughters, which was really quite dangerous under the circumstances.
So, with this in mind, I am convinced that Mother will be able to tackle this final journey, especially when we know that she shall be accompanied by the Lord to return to His side in peace.
As I share this story with you, I'd like to express my deepest gratitude to all our friends and relatives who have shown their sympathies. Some of you have taken time out of your busy lives to come in person to Mother's final resting place. Some of you have sent flowers, food, cards and e-mail, others have phoned to comfort me. All these expressions of sympathy are truly appreciated. Your kind deeds,
thoughts and prayers are a source of strength during this time of sorrow.
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