The Night's Sharing

There are a load of things I do not know about Jon. And in the sharing during the night's memorial, there were lots we uncovered, and more I am sure. These were some of the sharing.

"...his will to live outstood his fear of death by an unseen but immeasurable difference..." a personal quote by Juss, Jon's cousin

"Juss, have you thought of Jon lately?", Auntie Aggie asked me in the car one evening. I took in the question with the answer already in my mind. However, the words in reply took some time to form. Not because I was feeling nervous but because I had to go back to where it still hurts. I remember answering in a manner that seemed to leave us smiling in thoughts by saying that although I still think of Jon, I knew I didn't need to because Jon has already become part of my sub-conscious from since the time I got to know and love him. Because Jon and I were so close, he became a part of me that was there when I needed to know what to do next. I cannot explain it somehow but he was there when I had my moments and there again when I got things right, just like what he used to be. I never once tried to shut Jon out of my mind because I know I can never will. As long as I live, there will be a part of him living in me unseen by everyone else. But as he does, I get stronger with every passing moment as everything unsaid between us becomes my driving force to carry on with life."


"A story about Jon" by Vidhya

Jon,
A friendly boy whom I met,
Boy let me tell you, his contacts were hard to get.
It was from there I found out,
What he was really all about,
A football player, heart throbber,
A boy so full of zest,
Someone who fought to his very best.

He never failed to amuse me,
with his enormous ego: you see.
Let me remind you that Jon was hot.
Someone who all the girls would have like to got.
His smile, his laugh;
his quirky jokes and lame remarks,
Never failed to make me smile,
It's sad to think it's been a while.

A hopeless romantic, a sweet talker,
that boy I tell you, could walk on water.
But it was only he who made me tear,
When he explained to me about his fear.
Was it only then I realized
How much he had truly sacrificed.
Just to make me feel better
When he told me his problems really didn't matter.

A boy of courage, who taught me well,
Who made everything seem so swell,
Fighting his battle like a man,
Something not what anybody can.

I never knew he loved to write,
And how his future seemed so bright.
Jon never failed to listen to me,
A great friend, as great as he could be,
"I'm sorry I didn't see you when I could,
the amount of times I told you I would."

But one thing is for sure,
His heart was extremely pure,
Everyday is a new day.
I guess there is nothing more to say,
Except I love you Jon, I always will,
Please forgive me if I have sinned
And I hope that someday we'll meet all over again.

One Year On

Blue Candle door gifts

On the 9th of August 2006, two weeks after his 16th birthday, Jon left us.
It has been exactly one year today. And as we celebrate Jon's 1st Memorial, I am reminded of Mitch Albom's words;

"Death ends a life but not a relationship"

Those words brought some comfort to me when I was seeking solace from my loss.
Today as we look back to our individual relationship with this young man who ran a good race, it only helps remind us individually that we each have our own race to run.





The event to keep Jon's memory alive was graced by our dearest and closest, Jon's dearest and closest, friends and family who walked the journey with us and stood by us unconditionally. We love you.

Shanti's sky



The special transparent canopy that Agnes ordered really had the stars in the skies gaze down upon the proceedings of the night. It was a night of intimate sharing , while we enjoyed simple catered food done very nicely by Chef Wong of Wong caterers.

Godma Ann
Summer,Mum &Pa
Jon's Angels


There were music and speeches by friends and relatives. Cousins Sean played some beautiful pieces on the piano for Jon as did Jamie.
At about 10.30 pm after mum's speech, we observed a moment's silence as we individually renewed our relationship with Jon as we marked his departure from us at that time a year ago.




Then there was the releasing of birds to signify freedom and a dove for hope.
It was 'Wonderful Tonight' playing in the air that night.
And I think Jon agreed it was indeed a wonderful night.



Thanks Ben, for your beautiful photographic compositions.