On my way, sending my di goh or second paternal auntie to the crematorium. She’s also my godmother, as in it was officiated at the temple when I was young and the master of ceremonies described me as half a daughter. So as they lined up my cousins for the rites according to precedence of descent, and my husband and I are amongst them.
How do I describe what I learnt today and yesterday as we performed the last rites to send her on her way and to wish her a good journey ahead. I don’t know if we talk about these things.
The ceremonies are Buddhist and teochew. It was colourful and grand. She had many children who had many children.
I wasn’t very close to her because of several reasons but as he was kind. Then the few things she taught me was when my maternal grandmother passed away, and she told me not to cry and to chant prayers along the way. She also told me, when my parents were arguing (as they always usually were) not to be sad. And she also told my parents not to be quarrelsome. They had not bring me to visit her so often because they were usually quarrelling. And especially during Chinese new year. When we are supposed to be visiting each other.
Families are complicated. And relationships are personal.
Today is a very rainy day.
How do we translate 一路好走? Have a good journey. Bon voyage.
