Year of the Dragon - 2012 - Family Reunion Dinner

We had a wonderful family gathering and dinner at Restoran Yin Her in Sungai Buluh on Saturday 4 February 2012. Not all the Chung clan and relatives were there as the function was a last minute thing and many had other commitments. Nevertheless, we had a great time especially with all the kids running around and making so much noise that the "nien" ran away without the use of fire-crackers. We managed to fill three tables and the food was simply delicious. It was really a sumptuous feast graciously sponsored by Francis and Lindy Lai. Thank you.

All these yummy food for the occasion - lots and lots to eat

 

Lindy with Eddy, Edison and Amanda. 

Kenny and his dad Jonathan on the far left

Mr and Mrs Koo, Eugene and his 3 boys and Lee Lee

Trudy and Jack - a sweet and loving couple

Sweed Cheng with Chew Pheng's family members

Toss the Yee Sang for prosperity!

Toss and toss again to get more and more luck for the new year

Another table tossing the Yee Sang

Eddy and wife, and Koo family members doing the "Toss, Toss, Toss"

Francis and Lindy with Francis' cousin's wife and boys

Sally, Chew Wah, June, Aden and Tony

Sumptuous dinner by the beautiful fishing pond

Yummy!  It's finger-licking good!

Adam Wu reaches out for the food followed by Chew Pheng's grandson

Eugene has to take care of his 3 boys first before he can has his..

Eddie and family flanked by he Koo family members

Joe reaching for the 4 seasons dish with Simon on his right..

Joe surrounded by eager kids admiring his new phone...

Chew Pheng and family members

Eddie dishing out the steamed fish...

The perfect host Francis Lai making sure everyone is enyoying the good food..

 Chew Pheng, Suit Meng, Sweed Cheng, Sweed Lean and Chew Wah

Lindy carrying Derrick Koo and talking to Sally and June

The kids having fun at the toy dispensing machines...

"That's my good boy" says mummy...

"Hi! Let's do our own baby talk..."

Adam and Trudy with Chew Pheng's grandson

Two ladies sharing stories about grand-children..

 

 Trudy, Sweed Cheng and Lindy

2012 - Year of the Dragon - Family Reunions

Chew Wah and family members have Yee Sang to ursher in the Chinese new year.

Front: Aden

Back: Tony, June, Sally, Chew Wah and Joseph

Chew Hong and family members enjoying 2012 reunion dinner.

Front: Chung Pau Lee, Mrs. and Mr. Chew Hong

Back: Shyr Bing, Chung Pau Yoke, Chung Pau Kheng, Sey Hui Tan,

 Chung Pau Yean and Chan Kah Yin

 A candid and very lovely photo of the Wu family:

 

Top: Trudy and Jack Wu

Bottom: Adam and Jean & Sue Jean and Chin Leon

Note: If you want to have your family photos posted, please contact me.

 Chung Family Reunion Dinner at Sg. Buluh

Potluck Lunch At Trudy's Place

We had a little potluck lunch for Jolie and Allen at Trudy's home in Damansara Ara on Sunday 16 October 2011. It's a small reunion of sorts for those who turned up and we had lots to eat and catch up with the latest family news. A beautiful and joyous occasion especially with all the little kids running around.

 

2012 - Year of the Dragon - Family Reunion

46. The Final Legacy

There are many valuable lessons we can learn from father Chung Chow: through his words, actions and fine example. He often talked about three family guidelines that were passed down from one of our ancestors Zeng Can who was a disciple of Confucius.

These guidelines or value ethics were built upon Confucius's early version of the Golden Rule: "What one does not wish for oneself, one ought not to do to anyone else; what one recognises as desirable for oneself, one ought to be willing to grant to others", and also Confucius's great emphasis on the importance of study.

These guidelines can help us live in harmony and be successful. They are held in high regards because they honour our forefathers and are for the younger generations to follow.

The first guideline is to give a third thought before one speak or act. One should not only think twice but thrice about the consequences of one's words or actions. One should not make decisions in haste without much thought, but to carefully and patiently think through its implications. It has similar connotation as the English phrase "look before you leap".

The second guideline is to fulfill one's responsibilities towards others. This is based on the values of integrity, honesty, trust, truthfulness, and sincerity. The example given by father is about one's responsibility to fulfill a promise, in this instance to repay money owed. If one promises to do so on a certain date, then one must do it.

The third guideline is to be diligent and excel in one's work and study. No matter what one's profession or livelihood is, one must work hard and do one's very best. If we can follow and practise these three guidelines daily, we will achieve harmony within ourselves and with others, and be successful in all the things we do.

Potluck Lunch at Trudy's Place

45. Happy Reunion

On February 8, 2002, father started to have breathing difficulties and the home sent him to the hospital for emergency treatment. He was given a ventilator to help him breathe. Although he was semi-conscious, he was aware that all his loved ones had gathered around to see him for the last time. When asked what he was doing, he told us with a smile on his face that he and mother were on a world tour on board a big ship.

The next day, his condition did not improved. We knew how dearly he wanted to be with mother again, and we decided not to delay his departure from this world no matter how much we would miss him. No sooner had Suit Meng signed the consent forms to discontinue the support system, and stepped into the room, father took a deep breath and slowly released it, sort of like a sigh of relief as if to signal his approval, and breathed his last breath.

He was very calm and peaceful even at the very last moment, and had on a happy and serene face when he passed away at exactly 10.30 p.m. on February 10, 2002 - the night before the eve of Chinese New Year. He was 87. He used to jokingly tell us, patting his heart, that this "old engine is worn out and will give way one day", and it did as the doctor reported his death as cardiac failure.

As the hospital attendant wheeled our late father's body to the mortuary, three of his grandsons - Tony, Joseph and Chin Leon - and myself followed close behind like guards of honour. We wanted to make sure that his body was sent to the morgue safely.

The next morning, the eve of Chinese New Year, father's coffin was taken to the Prestavest Memorial Park near Taman Semerak in Pokok Assam. Father had always wanted a quiet affair with only close relatives and friends in attendance, and his wish was fulfilled. It was almost noon when his coffin was placed at the crematorium. His was the last service of the day. After that, the facility closed for five days for the new year celebrations.

On the morning of February 15, we collected his ashes from Prestavest, and his urn was interned besides mother's at the Buddhist temple, Wat Phodhiyaran, in Assam Kumbang. Also laid to rest at the same place were our grandparents Chang Ah Kee and Wong Sui Cheng, uncle Chang Keng San, granduncle Chan Ting Yang and his wives, great granduncle Chan Kau Sing, granduncle Yin Kau, and uncle Ah Choon and his wife.

Auntie Loke, father's last surving sister at  Wat Phodhiyaran, in Assam Kumbang

Wat Phodhiyaran, in Assam Kumbang

Wat Phodhiyaran, in Assam Kumbang

Our father Chung Chow will be best remembered for his total commitment and love for his family as a filial son, a caring brother, a devoted husband, and a loving father.

He took great care of his parents, brought up his siblings, and provided for his wife and children all by himself. He was a very hard-working man with very simple needs. He was also a very pleasant, tolerant and considerate man. He was very special to us - someone whom we loved very much, admired fondly, and felt very proud of.

Next: 46. The Final Legacy »