I was asked to give a eulogy on Mich really last minute. In fact, when I was told I had to do it, I was standing naked in the bath! I screwed it up, I thought. If I were given a second chance, and had given more thought to it, this would be what I would have said.
That Mich, despite having suffered from tremendous pain and discomfort throughout her treatment for her blood disorder, never divulged much of it to us or to her immediate family. Whenever we enquired how she was feeling, she would give a nonchalant reply such as "Oh, I feel more tired" or "Oh I feel slightly nausea". I remember thinking "Wah and I thought chemo is supposed to be very unbearable". It was only when she was hospitalised did we find out from her sis that she had witheld how she was suffering from us and her parents and hubby so that it would not worry us too much. She only confided in a cousin who worked nearby. That's the thoughtful Mich.
That Mich, would not spend on herself too much, and would rather buy all the fanciful clothes in the world for her 2 precious children. I hardly see Shyan repeat her clothes. As for Julian, due to the limited choice of boys' clothes, had less frequent change of apparels but still always managed to look more well-dressed than the rest of the boys. I get so many hand-me-downs from Mich I have stopped buying clothes for Rui and Yan. To acede to her children's request for an overseas trip, she was willing to look past her tiredness and treatment discomfort and was planning a trip a day before she lapsed into a coma. That's the loving mother Mich.
That Mich, was never a judgemental person. She would not pass a harsh judgement on anyone based on what she heard. Instead, she would allow herself to get to know the person despite all the negative remarks that she had heard before forming her own opinion. That's the non-judgemental Mich.
That Mich, had SO MUCH fun clubbing together with us when we were younger. Madam Wong's, Wong San, Double O, Zouk. You name it, we had been there. She was our trusted clubbing buddy who never failed to inject fun into our night-outs. That's the fun-loving Mich.
That Mich, was so well-supported during her final days in the hospital. Her friends, colleagues and relatives turned up in droves. Everyday for the past 3 weeks. Despite everyone's punishing work schedules, many people were there to support her and her family. And everyone only had good things to say about her and good memories of time spent with her. That's the popular girl Mich.
Michelle, sorry you couldn't hear this during the wake. I hope you get to read this from wherever you are now.
