That day passed by in a blur, I remembered that I did a lot of waiting. Waiting at the ward's waiting area for the nurses to clean up Grandma so that we can see her for the last time, waiting at the ward's waiting area again for Mum, Uncles & Aunties to decide on the funeral arrangements, (After discussing, it was decided that the wake would be held at Singapore Casket there), waiting at the canteen for 9th & 10th Uncles who had to go to Bukit Merah East Neighbourhood Police Centre located at the Police Cantonment Complex to report Grandma's death & obtain the death certificate so that SGH can release the body to the funeral home (the irony is that we can't report a death at SGH there unless it happened at the A & E department, after office hours). While waiting for my Uncles to return, 9th Auntie decide to go home & pick up Grandma's photo, clothes & shoes so that she can go straight to Singapore Casket to meet up with the rest of the Uncles & Aunties. I volunteered to send her home to pick up the items as I need to send Mum & Kat back also. When 9th Auntie was done, I send Mum & Kat back, then sent Auntie to Singapore Casket. At Singapore Casket, I did more waiting while my Uncles & Aunties decide on the funeral arrangements. By the time, the arrangements had been settled, it was about 11pm already. I drove home & went to pump petrol. At the petrol station, I wanted to buy delifrance for my very late lunch cum dinner. However, when I looked at the food, I didn't have any appetite. Therefore, I decided not to buy any even though my tummy was growling in protest. When I reached home, I saw Kel & the kids sleeping soundly & went to shower before turning in for the night. While showering, it was when the truth actually sank in & I cried, for a long time...
The night of 13 April at 7pm was the start of the Grandma's wake. I was out since afternoon for some appointments, then I went to pick up Dad, Mum & Kat to go to the wake. By the time, I reached home, it was 12.30am already.
On 14 April, Pris came to my place after her work so that we can go to the wake together. We reached that at about 4pm to meet up with Mum & Kat. That night, I also reached home at about 12.30am.
15 April was the last night. In the afternoon, I went out for appointments again & reached Singapore Casket at about 4pm. Mum & Kat were already there as Kat's colleagues came during lunch time to pay their respects to Grandma. Pris had also arrived by the time I reached. That night, I also reached home at about 12.30am.
We sent off Grandma on 16 April. Kel & I reached Singapore Casket at about 10am. There was 2 prayer sessions for Grandma. 1st, our family had a prayer session for Grandma. This was a special session which was done by the son-in-law, i.e. my father, to send off his mother-in-law, i.e. my grandma. After the session finished, there was another session for all of us to say our final goodbyes to Grandma. I cried my heart out during the session. At 12pm, all of us accompanied Grandma on her final journey on earth.
Grandma was cremated at about 1pm after a final prayer session at Mandai Crematorium. She was sent off with lots of love, fond memories & tears. As I watched her casket being wheeled into the cremation chamber, I cried as I said my goodbyes to her & told her I love her in my heart.
Popo, goodbye... Rest in peace, for you would be dearly missed...
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