In Memoriam - Yee Cheong - the best Uncle I ever had ( first posted on thebarefootfoodie.org in 2013 )

 In Memoriam – Yee Cheong, the best uncle I ever had. Posted on 10 May 2012

When the night is at its darkest, and the music fades,

All that remains when you have to say that final goodbye on earth

To someone who is loved, treasured and was a significant adult in your childhood and teenage years…

Thank you for your legacy of wisdom, grace and blessings which you have imparted to me.

As a little girl, growing up in Balam Road, I looked upon you with awe;

But would take little liberties to be cheeky, knowing with full confidence you are firm, but always fair.

After a day’s worth of playing with Mei, I would sneak over next door to linger around some more,

Watching you read the Chinese newspapers, occasionally humming a Chinese melody,

Or breaking out in the loudest yawn I’ve ever heard, which never failed to send me back in stitches.

You were ever the father figure, true to your four children, a vicarious one to me.

Sure, you had your share of quirkiness, finicky about tidiness, and don’t anyone mess about with your car…

Well, I did once, forgetting to close the car door after hopping out, and the door met with a sorry end

I got an earful from you, but it was a lesson I never forgot – and you did forgive me soon enough.

When it came to food, only Yee Ma’s cooking made the grade, and for good reason too.

Thank you for believing in me, for the timely reminders that I can make it, even in Chinese.

You had so much in you to give, and in the end, 

All that remains is a wealth of precious memories, a family held together by the values you had lived by, loved and cherished always.

Your niece,

Yvonne