Duty with Love

The columbarium at Mt. Erskine was crowded with people and their cars.  Yes, this is the day when we observe "Cheng Beng", an annual affair which falls on April 5 every year.  This is the time when we pay respects to our beloved ones who have departed from this world by either visiting their graves or the columbarium where their bones are kept.

We had been busy preparing for this occasion about two weeks ahead.  This is the first time that we are visiting the columbarium for "cheng beng" as Mum's remains are kept there after her demise in May last year. Although we tried to make it as early as possible, we reached the columbarium at around 10 a.m. As we anticipated, there were many people ahead of us. Fortunately the weather was fine, despite earlier wet spells, otherwise it would have been rather difficult for everyone

Mum at Straits Quay - Nov. 2011

Mum's niche is on the first floor and we climbed up a short flight of steps, carrying the food to be offered as well as paper offerings.  (Thank goodness for our maid who provided an extra pair of hands!).  Most of the tables for food had already been taken up by other people, so we had to go searching for one that we could use.  Brother-in-law found one and sis and I prepared the offerings.

It was with some sadness when I looked at the urn which contained Mum's remains - how I miss her, her enthusiasm for life and her eccentric ways!  And how time flies, she had been gone almost a year.  I often wonder where she is now - hopefully in a heavenly realm where she can listen to holy chants and hymns, which she so much delighted in.  As we lighted the joss sticks and prayed, I wished her lots of peace and happiness - I hoped she heard!
 
The entire floor was hazy with smoke and in between we had to escape to the balcony nearby to get some air. After finishing the prayers, we took the paper offerings down to the "burning ground" which was aflame with small fires and thick with smoke from offerings being burnt.  It was very hot indeed, but everybody was intent on doing his or her duty and finishing as quickly as possible.

After doing our duty here, we adjourned to Phor Tay temple where Mum's "sin choo" or tablet is kept.  Again there were already a number of people there but thankfully it wasn't as crowded or smoky.  The temple had prepared all the offerings and we added our own "kueh" and fruits. We finished at around 12.30 p.m. and headed home for lunch.

Hope you had a nice day, Mum.  Be happy, we are always thinking of you!