Sad Goodbyes

Florence 1943-2016

We little knew that morning
God was to call your name.
In life we loved you dearly,
in death we do the same.
It broke our hearts to lose you,
You did not go alone.
For part of us went with you
The day God called you home.
You left us beautiful memories,
Your love is still our guide,
And though we cannot see you,
You are always at our side.
Our family chain is broken,
and nothing seems the same,
But as God calls us one by one,
The chain will link again

~~~~

Today my aunt was laid to rest.
She was a very stoic woman who had a lot of strength. She was in great pain on a constant basis but would never complain or let on that she was not well.
She lived her life her way and that is what is important.
Her husband passed many years ago after being ill for a very long time.
She leaves behind 2 sons and 2 daughters and several grandchildren and great-children.  

Sadly, another family member passed today too.

My cousin Patrick and nephew to my auntie, Florence and to my mom.

He had heart trouble and several heart attacks over the years. 
He had another heart attack today after they laid my auntie to rest.

I don't know for sure but I think it was the stress of the long journey (for him about 1000 km one way).

 Patrick was a loving and sensitive person who became closer to my mom and would visit her in the care home after losing his own mother. 

Sad, sad day for his wife and young son left behind.  
It  was only a few short years ago that their other son passed unexpectedly..
They say a parent never gets over the demise of their child.  A child dying before a parent is out of the order of things.
 
~~~~


In a post a short while ago I was writing how important it is to give thanks for every good thing and to enjoy the beauty that is here all around us while we can..
If we are exceptionally busy we should pause and remember to  give thanks.  Embrace all that is good and lovely.
Always remember to tell your loved ones that they are loved.  We just never know how long we will have with them on this earth.

 Prayers abound for the immediate loved ones who will find it difficult in the weeks and months to follow.
 
Much love
and
May God watch over you and your loved ones and keep you safe
♥♥♥.

2 Corinthians  (TLB)
       

 ⁶ Now we look forward with confidence to our heavenly bodies, realizing that every moment we spend in these earthly bodies is time spent away from our eternal home in heaven with Jesus. ⁷ We know these things are true by believing, not by seeing. ⁸ And we are not afraid but are quite content to die, for then we will be at home with the Lord. ⁹ So our aim is to please him always in everything we do, whether we are here in this body or away from this body and with him in heaven

Kunghei Fatchoy

'Happiness and prosperity!'  

Kunghei fatchoy /gong-hey faa-chwhy (Cantonese)

Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is marked by the lunisolar Chinese calendar, so the date changes from year to year.

The festivities usually start the day before the New Year and continue until the Lantern Festival, the 15th day of the new year.

I did my celebrating today as I was invited to join a group of seniors to celebrate Chinese New Year 2016. I had a very nice time and wanted to share the photos.

First I was greeted at the door with a name tag and someone offered to check my coat.  One inside, I was given a choice of two gifts. I chose a small calendar because I liked the red packaging.

Some of the Decorations
 

I have always loved red paper lanterns. Actually I like all paper lanterns but red stands out.

Our smiling servers

Food

Upper right and clockwise: fried rice, rice noodles, spareribs, sweet & sour spareribs, tofu and veggie

 Dessert

Warm sesame seed balls with red bean paste...so delicious. We also had an orange and some candy.

Appreciative diners

Entertainment Program

The entertainment program was very full. I was quite tired and had to leave at the last performance when the seniors did their sword dance (you'll see them below in the double ring dance).

Violinist playing a modern, electric violin & our MC who teaches drama to many of the performers.

A beautiful couple who sang a romantic song.

A group of limber seniors doing a double ring dance. They also did a sword dance but I didn't get photos.

A young champion on the left and her younger sister.

This young woman is champion Guzheng musician in both Canada and China. She also has impressive showmanship.

 

A Spoken Word group. The woman in black is reciting in English after the Chinese version done by the group.

These two ladies did a very nice Indian dance.

I think this is called a handkerchief dance.  The woman also performed the Indian dance above in purple costume.

This group of women performed several times in beautiful costumes (different costume for each dance).

Here is the same group of women in another costume.

 There are special events for Chinese New Year going on all month in my city.
 There are performances and exhibits at the  Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Pavilion  in Chinatown.
The Lion Dance is performed in different locations around Vancouver though I haven't seen one for a few years.

The Lion Dance will be the culmination of many of the activities and be held in Chinatown on Sunday.

 There are so many activities to choose from.

I hope you enjoyed the photos.

Are you planning to celebrate Chinese New Year where you live?

Kunghei Fatchoy!