2000 HRS 3 rd October 2009

You left us almost 3 years ago,

when you became incapacitated,

you could not move,

you could not talk.

You could only eat

via tubes

through the nose.

Breathing

was a momentous task,

as you heaved

each breathe.

I visited you every week

to say hello.

Sometimes it was easy

to forget

you were there.

But you hung on,

for 3 years,

till I told you,

that you have

a grandson

called Van-Dylan Koh Thien An

and I repeated

that his surname is Koh

your bloodline.

I showed you

his photos,

as you stared

with glassy eyes.

When I was preparing

to fly back,

I hugged Mum,

said goodbye

to everyone.

It was easy

to forget

you were there.

I stepped out

of the flat,

and walked down

the corridor.

Something made me

take a look back

to wave goodbye

to Mum,

when I saw,

you were lying

on your side,

staring at me

with those glassy eyes,

this time

tearful.

I dropped my bag

and rushed back

indoors.

Dad, I'm so sorry

I have to go now,

I'm going home

to Bangkok,

to look after

your grandson,

Van-Dylan Koh Thien An.

I kissed your forehead

and said goodbye.

How was I supposed to know

that it would be

your final farewell?

Now when I think back

of the way

you made

our final parting,

it was sweet

it was beautiful.

Thanks Pa,

even till the end,

with whatever little

life energy

you had left,

you still said goodbye

in a way

only you can.

I'm just a living legacy

of the

Leader of the Band