In Memory of My Beloved Grandfather

My grandfather passed away on April 13, 2009 at the age of 80. He was a believer and was baptized. I planned his funeral and used it as a way to help my family find closure and also tell them about the love of Christ. Despite my sadness, I can see God's love all around. This is the eulogy I prepared.

I don’t remember too many things about my childhood in Vietnam, but I do have a few fond memories of my first eight years of life there. I mostly remember going places with and being spoil by my grandmother, grandfather, and great grandfather. At the time, I was the only granddaughter so I was the sole recipient of all their love and attention. My family lived together with my grandparents until I was maybe 10, so I was blessed to spend a lot of time with them. One time my grandfather took me with him on his company’s outing to the beach. Since we lived far away from the beach, going there was a real treat. The night before the trip, I was so excited that I can’t sleep. I knew we had to wake up early to catch the bus and I didn’t want to over sleep, so I stayed up the whole night. I will never forget about the excitement, the anticipation, and the joy of spending time with my grandfather. He also spoiled me by buying me candy and doing whatever I wanted him to do. When I was little, I didn’t like eating and it usually took me more than an hour to finish a meal. Many times my mom would make me finish my bowl of rice before I can go play, but because I could not do it I would throw my food away in the trash and cover it up with newspaper. One time my grandfather caught me, but he did not yell at me. Instead, he told me to give him the food. Since then, he would secretly finish my dinner for me. Whenever he could, he would take me places and get me whatever I wanted because he would never say no. When I first got to the United States, he took me to Bay Fair mall and got me my first Barbie doll.

If I were to use one word to describe my grandfather, I would use the word “committed.” He was dedicated, responsible, punctual, and always put 110% in whatever he did. Once he started something, he will carry it through and continue even though it may be difficult or cumbersome. No matter where he works, he constantly received rave reviews regarding his performance. He arrived early to everything and was never late. Being punctual is something I should learn from him. During the time he was working at the YMCA, he consistently arrived at 5 am to start his 7 am shift. When I invited him to attend my church’s 11 am Cantonese service, he arrived at 10 am to wait for the service to start. Since he always arrived at church so early, I also invited him to go to the Cantonese Sunday School at 9:30 am. Well, you guessed it; he arrived at 8:30 am to wait for Sunday school to start. So eventually, he went to the 8 am service and then 9:30am Sunday school. He is even punctual in giving me allowance. At the beginning of the month, I can always count on getting some money.

I have always meant to spend more time with my grandfather, in addition to the weekly visit, so he would have more opportunities to interact with my boys. However, between raising the boys, working, and going to school, I did not have much time, so I kept putting it off. Thinking that he would always be available, but now he is gone. I have learned not to use busyness as a reason to put off spending time with people. I know there are many things I have to change about myself in order to be a better wife, mother, and daughter, but I have also been putting that off. My grandfather’s death is a good reminder that life is fleeting, so therefore we should act with urgency. The Bible said in James 4:14, “You do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.”

So now is the time to change ourselves and be a better student, employee, or friend
Now is the time to work on the marriage or the relationships in our lives.
Now is the time to forgive those who have wronged us.
Now is the time to start over.
Now is the time to choose Christ.

If we work hard to acquire all the wealth in the world but do not choose Christ, we would find life to be lacking and empty. That is because only God alone can satisfy that emptiness. He created us to have a desire for an intimate relationship with Him. He loves us so much that He sent His only Son to earth to experience life as human and to die for our sins. Therefore, by believing in Christ, our sins are forgiven and thus allow us to have personal relationship with our Creator. Christ is the only God who conquered death, rose again on the third day, and now is in heaven. He has the power to perform miracles, fill the emptiness in our hearts, and give our lives meaning and purpose.
My grandfather went with me to church for a couple years and Tom Ho is one of the people who has spent some time talking to him about receiving Christ as his personal Savior. Therefore, I fully believe that grandfather is in heaven right now, a place where there is no more sorrow or pain, standing in the presence of God.

Have you been putting off opportunities to know Christ? Or have you been neglecting relationships in your life? What have you been putting off? Don’t delay, the time is now.