Life goes on.. but something has changed

Last Sunday was one of our beloved niece's birthday.

And in true Lim family fashion, we ignored the traditional mourning period and urged the celebration to go on.

The frantic gift searching. 大嫂's mighty cooking feast for over 20 people *kao tao*. Everyone else fighting to help her cut the garlic, wash the vegetable, breadcrumb the prawn balls and so on. The rowdy army of toddlers and children entertaining the elders while they patiently waited for the buffet to be ready. The birthday cake and hearty singing. Squeals of joy from the present opening ceremony. The usual bliss.

Clockwise from Top: Cleo and her Mummy; Chloe and her presents; Cleo again (can't resist putting in another photo); Cheap yet so tasty Champagne we got from NTUC

But something has changed.

Despite the merry making, there was always the tinge of sadness and longing in the air.

For Ah Yi was sorely sorely missed.

The occasional red eyes. The on and off distant look on Ah Tio's face. The sighs from 大嫂 as she reminisced on Ah Yi's cooking tips. And Dot's monologue to Ah Yi's photo, now dearly placed on the kitchen top shelf, overlooking the entire house, adorned with her favorite flowers.

It still never fails to amaze me how unbelievably loving this family is to one another. And despite our size (all 15 of us), we are so tight knitted. This has certainly helped everyone to deal with the grief and move on with life.

The wet eyes will dry, Sighing and longings will fade away one day.

But I know one thing for sure, is that Ah Yi will never.

For she will forever live in all our hearts.