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Funerals are too emotional

At Kim Jong Il's funeral

When I was small (even now), I just could not understand why Amma made it her divine duty to attend the funeral ceremonies of her relatives and distant ones alike. When I asked her why she did so, she would reply that nobody would come for hers if she did not do so. I would retort that when one is dead, he would not know who came for the funeral anyway.
So when my dear best friend's father was terminally ill recently, I made it a point to visit him when he was still alive and able to converse and say his peace to all friends and relatives. We all had a good chat reminiscing his younger days as a soldier serving in Congo back in 1962.
He took leave soon afterwards.
Attending funerals are a strain to the attendees and recipients alike. There is too much emotion involved. I rather be at the scene after all the dust has settled down. There are always people who take offence on this type of attitude!

P.S. I have seen too many times long lost relatives who never bother to keep in touch, just turning up miraculously at funerals to show their talent in theatrics and ability of self expression that would evoke a tear or two from bystanders.
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  1. Anonymous16 February 2012 at 20:56

    May uncle William RIP. I was told that he was very fond of you although vast different in age. That surprised me!

    ReplyDelete
  2. rifle range boy16 February 2012 at 21:12

    Very fond him too! In spite of all his achievements and medals, he can communicate with people of any strata. Like the saying goes, "The greatness of a man is in how he treats the little man!"
    May he RIP....

    ReplyDelete

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