5 Years on...

Just two weeks ago, we celebrated what would have been Jon's 21st at home with family and close friends. Jon's maternal grandma, Popo cooked up a storm comprising most, if not all of his favourite foods.
The usual family suspects faithfully showed up but making special appearances were two very special 'brothers' of mine, my bro-in-law Mike and his wife Alice and my own brother Johnny with his wife Karen. Also present were my closest of colleagues, friends and partners; Janet, Vincent, Shahnaz & Grace.

My address to the party was short and simple;

 Jon's relationship with us as a family and with each of us as family members is a private one and has been over the 4 years where we celebrated his birthday for him without him physically present. This time however, we decided to share the occassion with all because we believe the journey is complete and it is time to live and acknowledge all the special people in our lives who have stood with us with pure unconditional love throughout our period of challenges, coping and grief. To every single one of you who stood with us, we can never ever repay the support and kindness you have given us throughout the entire journey with Jon.

To all of you, we say thank you and we love you.

Today we celebrate Jon's fifth year of leaving us, Mum calls it 5th Continuum.
The event is a memorial to mark the day in remembrance of Jon by releasing birds and white doves signifying the freedom that follows death. In my address to the family this morning;

I look forward to such events only because it is another event to not forget Jon. This ceremony is also for me to take stock of my life in relation to the life he lived and lost and see what have I achieved that will be a legacy to leave behind.

Today, I once again attributed my zest for life, my spirit of adventure and my tireless pursuit of my dreams to my children Jon, Zane and Summer. For inspiring me to live my life to the fullest and pushing me to be the best that I can be in every moment of now.

Today we celebrate Jon's freedom with new beginnings for all of us in The Gan family and for all those we hold close and dear.