Cherishing and Support
A year ago, when I had just married Ju-rong, because I was unfamiliar with a brother's family, I often felt anxious and uneasy, worried whether my every word and action might be improper in some way. But dad always took care of my feelings tenderly and in detail. For a short time before I moved to Singapore, I once lived with dad and mom at a certain meeting hall. No matter how busy his work was, dad would without fail sit down at home each day to have breakfast and dinner together with mom and me. Sometimes, when I was delayed by the service at the meeting hall, dad would even wait until I came home before starting the meal. At mealtime we would taste together the delicious dishes mom carefully prepared, chatting about daily life, while he told us many interesting stories from his youth and childhood. Dad also quietly noted the time I came home; only after both mom and I had safely arrived home would he go to rest with peace of mind. Many times, when the whole family went out to eat together, dad would also take special care that my seat was not too far on the edge, so that I would have more opportunities to talk with the family. This was how dad cherished me, this new member who had joined the Wu family. I think it was then that dad, in my heart, changed from an unreachable leading brother into my own dad.
Dad also cared very much about the family life of me and my husband. Once, during dialysis, dad asked me to fellowship, asking whether I knew the direction of our future family life; seeing my blank expression, dad talked with me in detail about family life, church life, work and finances, daily living, and household tidiness, teaching me the focus and direction of keeping a home, which was a great help to Ju-rong and me. Whenever a brother came from Singapore back to Taiwan, dad could hardly wait to know our latest news. When Ju-rong and I held our first small-group meeting at home, dad, regardless of his physical condition, happily wanted to book a flight for the next day to fly with mom to Singapore to see our new home, saying it would be fine even to come and go the same day; unfortunately the flight was canceled because of a typhoon and the trip could not be made. After that dad often kept saying, how he wished to go see it once! I always comforted dad, saying it was all right, there would surely be a chance, and the important thing was first to take care of his health. Yet dad was taken by the Lord first.
I still remember at the most recent winter training, when the whole family gathered together in the United States, when dad again asked about our family life and church life, the expression on his face was full of love and satisfaction. When Ju-rong worriedly asked dad how to lead a small-group meeting, dad teasingly poked fun at him a couple of times, yet inwardly he was full of joy. At that moment, I felt it was truly warm.
Thank you, dad, for cherishing and supporting us all along the way; we miss you very much. Dad, do not worry; Ju-rong and I will take care of mom, take up the burden, bear the same yoke together, and walk the road ahead joyfully and strongly together.