Life Without My Dear Wife: April 2011

The Qing Ming Actual Day ( or Cheng Beng Chit in Hokkien ) this year of 2011 is of great significance to me. The date of Tuesday, April 05, 2011 is the actual Chinese All Souls Day with the Tomb Sweeping Traditional Day of paying respects to the ancestors and our dearly departed. I had survived 4 months and 20 days after the premature departure of my beloved wife Saw Ai, after over 35 years of marriage. This is my first Qing Ming for her at the Wat Chaiyamangalaram Thai Buddhist Temple Columbarium where her ashes are kept. As early bird I was there at around 7.30 am but the Columbarium was still locked as opening time on the signboard was 8.00 am. After waiting for about 15 minutes, it was opened and a stream of early filial crowd started to come in. Soon the place was busy with various tables being arranged with the variety of offerings. Joss sticks were then lit and prayers were offered. The clinking of coins were heard as these were used as divine pieces to ensure the " dearly departed was there " to enjoy the offerings. Joss papers and paper money were then burnt as the final part of the ceremony, as one in the other world also needs money to survive. With that ceremony ended my very first Qing Ming to my wife and with thought of whether when I had passed on. my sons can do this for us as these traditions are also dying among the younger generation.