| In
Memory of Mr. Chang Kuo-sin |
06-02-2006
19:27 |
| Professor Georgette Wang telgw@hkbu.edu.hk |
In memory of Mr. Chang Kuo-sin 永遠懷念張國興先生
The selfless
devotion and professionalism of Mr. Chang Kuo-sin will be long
remembered by his colleagues, students and alumni of School of
Communication.
We extend our sincerest condolence to the
bereaved family.
|
| In
Memory of Mr. Chang Kuo-sin |
08-02-2006
23:49 |
| King Cheng |
I was a first-year Communication student in 1976. For the
last 30 years, I never forget the following 2 statements which I
learned from Lo Yeh's political science class:
"Power corrupts,
absolute power corrupts absolutely."
"If you don't possess, you
won't be possessed."
To me, these are very good advice as well as
basic values for a righteous media worker.
Lo Yeh had lived up to
these values and that is why he had gained the highest respect from
many of us.
|
| In
Memory of Mr. Chang Kuo-sin |
09-02-2006
18:00 |
| Chris Yeung, Eng Jour, 1984 Class chris.yeung@scmp.com |
With the highest respect to Mr Chang and deepest sympathy to
his family:
It was just like yesterday re-visiting the words
of wisdom from Mr Chang Kuo-sin, or better known as “lo yeh,” from
the Graduation Year Book of 1984. “Knowledge is not everything…
Ethics are just as important as knowledge. You have to be ethical
and conform to the highest moral standard in your work. Only in this
way can you do justice to your studies in this Department.” 21 years
on, his farewell note remains as relevant, if not even more so, as
it was when we left Baptist applying knowledge in the real world of
journalism. The farther we are from the time we said goodbye to the
Communication Building the deeper we are in understanding the
meanings of words frequently uttered by him: Truth is virtue, work
hard, work harder, work even harder. His sweet smile, sound of
coughing and insightful advice will live in our hearts and minds –
ever and forever.
|
| In
Memory of Mr. Chang Kuo-sin |
16-02-2006
10:08 |
| Dr. William Choy |
| For many years, Mr. CHANG Kuo-sin and I were colleagues at HK
Baptist College in the 70' and 80's. Even though he was in the
Communication Dept. and I was with the Physics Dept., we had
numerous chance to have meetings together. To me, he was a genial,
ingenuous and intrepid person. Nine years before I retired from HKBU
in the early 90's, I visited him at his Portland home. He was not
much different from the time when he was last with the College in
1985. Now, I miss a good and respectable friend. |
| In
Memory of Mr. Chang Kuo-sin |
16-02-2006
12:37 |
| 李德能 (84年副修英文新聞) taknangli@yahoo.com.hk |
1984年級的同學特別幸運,因為我們開始享受到敬愛的「老爺」和學長們多年努力的成果 -
星島傳理大樓落成。自此,我們的學習環境改善了很多,就連讓我們「百厭」的空間亦大了很多。「老爺」不但給我們示範了一個新聞工作者應有的風骨,不亢不卑的做人態度,對於我這個沒有成材的學生,他更加讓我體驗到老師的關愛。
還記得83年底那一次,一班副修新聞和公關廣告的百厭星竟然斗膽在大樓天台「打邊爐」,更斗膽的是竟然還邀請「老爺」參加,他老人家一口拒絕,更下令不准荒唐。當晚,百厭星照原定計劃「開爐」,忽然間,「老爺」駕到,突擊搜查,當場人贓並獲,老人家訓示一番之後,下令清場,然後先行離開。不久,我們發現,他留下一個百佳膠袋,裏面都是蝦條和薯片。原來,「老爺」的真正來意是探望這班百厭星。
敬愛的「老爺」,多謝你對學生的信任,多謝你給年青人輕狂的空間,更加多謝你那份爺爺的愛。有幸成為你的學生,我引以為榮。 |
| In
Memory of Mr. Chang Kuo-sin |
16-02-2006
16:33 |
| Anita Lee, Film/TV, 1984 Class anitalee@graduate.hku.hk |
With our fondest memory of Mr Chang Kuo-sin (Lo Yeh) and
deepest sympathy to his family
In the past week, since I
learned of the sad news, the image of his smile constanly came up in
my mind. I can still remember clearly that the last time I saw him
in Hong Kong was bidding him goodbye at the Taxi Stand outside
Admiralty MTR Station after having tea ("yum cha") with him, Mrs
Chang, and Chris Yeung a few years ago. It really seems just like
yesterday and the image is still very clear in my mind.
And
there are other memories of our student life at HK Baptist College,
and those of our different meetings with him afterwards:
-
his smile, rosy cheeks, and his favourite gesture of scratching his
head when talking;
- his practice of meeting all year-one
students individually to get to know them personally, and my own
meeting with him in 1981;
- his famous sayings, like those
already quoted by our fellow alumni;
- his setting up of the
rooftop garden on the Singtao Communication Centre, despite the lack
of space, for our recreation, which then subsequently became a
favourite shooting location for the Film/TV students;
- his
insistence of attendance of all his classes and submission of all
writing assignments to achieve at least a pass grade, and the ways
that some of our classmates mischievously tried to defy his
regulations;
- his concern for us and comments for my own
graduation project;
- my meeting with him at HKBC at the end of
my three-month China visit after graduation in 1984: "She has been
all over China!" said Lo Yeh to the others present, which was just
his way to welcome me;
- the different occasions of his return to
Hong Kong over the years, the anniversaries of the School/Department
of Communication, and our get-together sessions with him;
I
treasure all the instances of interaction with him and still keep
the valuable letters from him after leaving HKBU. I feel very
grateful that I had sent him a card and some photos just in time and
managed to tell him about my graduation from PhD studies in mid
January, hoping this had given him a sense of
satisfaction.
Mr Chang, Lo Yeh, had definitely made a mark on
us, all his students, and influenced our way of thinking and
working. He will be remembered as a great educator and mentor,
forever and ever!
|
| In
Memory of Mr. Chang Kuo-sin |
18-02-2006
10:17 |
| Andrea Leung andrea@hkbu.edu.hk |
給我懷念的張老師 倪耀芝(傳理73)
敬愛的張老師:
2006年2月10日下午飛機把我帶到Sacramento
機塲，隨即趕到安放您遺體的地方。
甫入殯儀館，便看見您安躺在放置於禮堂正中的銅棺內。兩旁放滿了悼念您的鮮花，其中大部份是敬愛您的學生致送的，上欵都是寫著「To
Our Beloved Professor
Chang」。您任教了16年的香港浸會大學，前任校長謝志偉博士和現任吳清輝校長、以及傳理學院院長汪琪及校友會都送花致輓。
老師，躺在棺木內的您很安詳。您比十一月來Portland時細小了！但您兩唇合著的樣子、雙手擺放的姿態，就和您生前的神態一樣。您身上穿著紅灰白相間的格仔法蘭絨恤，外面是一件駱駝色的机恤；胸前放著「漁人牌」喉糖，上面是您那從朗奴列根(Ronald
Reagan)紀念圖書館帶回來的「空軍一號」便帽；臂彎下是那支您有時用以搔背的「不求人」。這都是您生前愛用的物件，所以家人讓它們伴著您離去。
師母和您的兒女知道您很重視在傳理系任教的日子和學生，所以選了那張很傳神、您穿着刻有「傳理系主任」的中山裝畫像安放在靈堂上；畫像里您手拿著的是您多年撰寫專欄的「英文虎報」；您笑得很開心。
六時正，天主教堂的執事到靈堂主持守夜禮拜。在頌經和唱詩過後，您的大孫女Jennifer、小兒子Benjamin
(斌)、和我被邀憶述您和您的生平。我們在沒有準備下憶述與您同行日子的片段，結論不約而同的都認為您是一個「固執」但有遠見、嚴勵但仁、老實而聰穎、愛護家庭、關愛學生和不易難到的大好人。
您的三女兒Gemma(莉文)分享了一個令家人和親友欣慰的事情。Gemma說在您逝世後的第七天，即俗稱「頭七」的那天，她在夢中收到您的電話，您的聲言很安詳，但內容她記不起了。
翌晨，Gemma在家裡寫了一張字條給您，內容是懷念的說話，並多謝您前一晚的報夢；她同時請您送她黃玫瑰花、作為告慰家人您已身處天堂的確證實物。到了靈堂後，Gemma把字條放入您胸口內，再把頭兩顆裇衫鈕扣回
，師母和家人並沒有留意到她這個舉動。這時靈堂雖然放置了很多不同類型的鮮花，但卻沒有一支是黃玫瑰。Gemma有點失望，但仍然和家人敬虔地跪在您靈柩前為您唸經和祈禱。就在這時候，殯儀館的工作人員搬了一個花藍到靈堂前的左側，上面竟然有六支黃玫瑰！
花籃原來是殯儀館為家人預備的;
每支黃玫瑰是代表每名兒女，另外四支菊花是四名子女的配偶，五支百合花則代表孫輩。這個安排，Gemma 和您的家人是不知道的
(美國花店慣常做法是為家人安排紅玫瑰的)；所以他們都很振奮，尤其是Gemma。我們請Gemma從您身上掏出字條給我們看，並拍照作為紀念。
2月11日(星期六)，我們一早到殯儀館去看您。想到稍後工作人員很快便會為您封上棺蓋，再不可以見到您了，我們都很難過。師母更緊靠您靈柩、彎下身和您喃喃細語，她怎也不願離開您。畢竟您們相親相愛、甘苦與共偕行了近64年了，如今您不辭而別，師母又怎捨得您、怎不悲傷呢？
上午9時30分，神父在天主教堂為您舉行安息彌撒。在莊嚴、肅穆及詳和的氣氛中，您的兒子繼武和Benjamin率領您五名孫及孫女，扶著您和靈柩同進教堂內。我們站起身向您致敬。參加彌散的六十多人中，有和您相交六十多載的西南联大老同學，也有從不同地方長途跋涉趕來的親友和學生。劉世添
(Tim Lau)、Paul Tseng、Anthony Chan、Samson Wu和曾任您助理的Claudia
Cheung都來了；82年畢業的温文傑說：「以往多次的聚會，都是因為要見『老爺』而參加的。想到今次也是因為『老爺』，我們在Sacramento見面了。」
彌撒先由神父誦經、領禱和唱聖詩。接著是您的三孫女本欣讀經，繼武、Gemma和Benjamin
兄妹等代表家人致悼辭。繼武還讀出了您姪兒Stanley從澳洲發來的電唁。Stanley少時家境未能供他升讀大學，他於是鼓起勇氣請您資助，而當時不算豐裕的您，子女又在求學期間，竟不假思索的答應
Stanley的要求。原因是您欣賞這位年青人有胆量和上進心；同樣的欣賞也屢屢出現在我們作為您的學生身上。Stanley巳學業有成，現在澳洲作杏林醫手，是您生前感到安慰的一事。
Gemma向教堂內的親友及您的學生再次分享您托夢和黄玫瑰花的事情。她在守夜那晚的儀式，和今早的致悼中，都詳細述及這件事情。老師，您兒孫們對您的一片真誠孝心，叫在座者無不動容。
85年畢業的斯美玲代表同學向您致悼辭。美玲述說您嚴肅和可愛的多方面，並感謝您對我們的循循善誘和苦心教導。在悼辭中，美玲更道出一個秘密，就是在您每課點名的時候，頑皮的同學竟然想到扮聲替代說
“Yes,
Sir!”您剛直老實，又怎知道我們的頑皮做法呢？又或者您是知道的，只是因為體恤我們既要讀書又須兼職而放過我們吧！美玲是三藩市彎區中文電視26臺的主播,經她安排下，您去世的消息和生平成就在早一天的电視新聞播出了。
Tim
和Paul在美西出版的星島日報和明報也發佈了有關您逝世的消息；三藩市的San Francisco Chronicle
也有刋文悼念。
彌撒後，眾人駕車前往墓園參加您的安葬儀式。沿途有警車開路。到了墓園，您摯愛的兒孫們小心翼翼地把您從靈車搬移到墳地上。在神父誦祝後，殯儀工人把銅棺徐徐移降入墳土裏。這時候，我們知道真的要和您分別了。只好依依不捨、摘下鮮花輕拋到您的棺蓋上，並默禱您「入土為安」。
老師，我們懷念您！懷念您一生剛直不阿的精神，懷念您那嚴勵又寬容的教導。您給新聞工作者的格言「TRUTH
IS
VIRTUE」，會繼續是我們做人處事的準則。我們發起成立「張國興新聞傳播教育基金」，目的是凝聚力量，將「唯真為善」的精神薪傳下去，為您和傳播教育盡一點心意。老師，請安息吧！
學生
Andrea 敬上
2006年2月16日
|
| In
Memory of Mr. Chang Kuo-sin |
20-02-2006
10:55 |
| 李康全 Chinese Journalism
76 |
七六年離開學校後，見過老爺幾次，採訪，傳理系的舊生聚會，「老爺」退休的告別餐會，最後一次是九三年，他由美國返港到星島大廈探訪和他遇上，是我倆最後一次見面，然而他健碩的身影，掛在臉上的大眼鏡，平頭裝，不自覺地用手撫摸頭髮，爽朗的笑聲，雄亮的聲音，還有他在授課時，突然出現英譯的中國古文和成語印象猶新。
老爺任教傳理系十七年，他的「政治學導論」和「傳播法」是必修科目，數算一下弟子過千，傳播法是最要命的科目，因他例必點名不能走堂，其次授課內容廣而深，由保障言論和新聞自由的美國憲法第一修訂案開始，到管制香港傳媒的各種法例，還搬出法例演變個案，真是悶得發荒，還有功課，年少荒唐總是
Horse Horse Tiger Tiger （ 老爺語
馬馬虎虎）虛應了事，白花老師的心血。
課程艱深，考試卻是容易，每年都有一條必考是題目：「如何去誹謗某君？」，背熟答案可以拿個滿分，那個時候總不明白，暗笑他胡塗
，但在三十多年的傳媒生涯中，遇上言論涉及誹謗時，考試答案總會浮現出來作為一個警號。現在才會意老師注重知識傳授，認為分數不重要，考試設題是要我們每個人在傳媒工作時不會跌進誹謗陷阱。
副修新聞的學生人數較少和他關係密切，我們要修他的「中國新聞報導」課，老師是這方面的專家，國共第二次和談，他在南京採訪，他亦在南華早報有一個評論中國的專欄,，論點和火紅年代學生截然不同，但他從不將他的價值和政治觀點放在授課和評卷上，他將工作和己主觀價值分開是我的好模範。
上這堂課大家都戰兢，因為每星期的寫作，他會用心批改，然後在課堂上做剖驗，一有差池就立刻變成死屍，因為他會將我們的功課，
當眾逐一指出錯處，在同學面前顏面盡失，不過也收引以為誡和訓練寫作要小心之效。
老爺不拘小節，一日上課時他說我們是「病壞後生」Sick
Young Men要多運動 ，學習他每天游早水，才有像他一樣健康身體，有同學回應：「從命！老人」”Yes Old
Man”，他還哈哈大笑。
相信老爺只向
75和76兩屆的新聞組弟子，傳受他的健身秘笈，因為他自信地發表健身偉論後，無獨有偶，一兩日後卻病倒不能上課。
老爺關心學生的學習，畢業後，收過老爺兩份調查問卷，第一份是他當上系主任後，向舊生咨詢各個科目的意見，另外，學院將課程由四年濃縮為三年時，他認為不利於學生，收到他發出的問卷，搜集意見，港府快將大學學制再恢復為四年，證實老師當年堅持正確。
老爺的兒子和舊生們打算為老師在今年八月籌辦生日會，慶祝他九十歲生日，如果時間可以倒流，老師還在我一定參
|
| In
Memory of Mr. Chang Kuo-sin |
20-02-2006
11:13 |
| Leonard L Chu lchu@hkbu.edu.hk |
Dear Professor Chang,
I must say that the Ming Pao
obituary shocked me for I had never thought about that such a
healthy body would one day leave us.
Your students are
fortunate to have studied with you.
Even before I began my
career in Hong Kong, I had heard about you as a respected
journalist. I believed that I first met you back in the early 1980s
in your office at the newly completed Sing Tao Communication
Building. I can not recall why I dropped in your office, but I do
remember your smiles and your upright stature in all its senses.
After joining the Baptist University, I began to know more
about you from your former students who had by then become my
colleagues and friends. I would like to thank you and Mrs. Chang for
travelling all the way, in October 1998, from San Francisco to Hong
Kong to attend the School of Communication's 30th anniversary dinner
(thanks to Mrs. Andrea Leung's efforts and hard work). I know that
many alumni came simply because they wanted to meet you.
Your presence made the anniversary celebration a stunning
success. It was on this occasion I learned more about you and was
fortunate to have enjoyed some happy chats with you and Mrs. Chang.
Thank you for honoring me with a copy of your book that records the
early days of press controls in Shanghai under Chinese Communist
rule. That is a rare and valued testimony by a journalist to a
chapter in China's unfortunate modern history!
Remembering
you, I remeber "Truth Is Virtue"! You can rest in peace, your
friends and students are carrying forward the torch! Dear Professor
Chang, you will always be in my heart.
Respectfully and
affectionately,
Leonard L. Chu |
| In
Memory of Mr. Chang Kuo-sin |
21-02-2006
09:40 |
| Terence Leung BM
84 |
A great person pursuing truth & rightness! I was quiet
impressed with his learning attitude & effort despite the
difficulties facing him.
Regrettably I know him too late and
never get a chance to attend his class, but I still feel proud of
him for having a learning life in HKBU. |
| In
Memory of Mr. Chang Kuo-sin |
22-02-2006
13:51 |
| 邱禮濤 Film 1984 hermanyau@hermanyau.com |
懷念老爺
There are places I’ll remember
All my life
though some have changed
Some forever not for better
Some have
gone and some remain
All these places have their moments
With
lovers and friends I still can recall
Some are dead and some are
living
In my life I’ve loved them all
But of all these
friends and lovers
There is no one compares with you
And these
memories lose their meaning
When I think of love as something
new
Though I know I’ll never lose affection
For people and
things that went before
I know I’ll often stop and think about
them
In my life I love you more
Though I know I’ll never
lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know
I’ll often stop and think about them
In my life I love you
more
In my life I love you more |
| In
Memory of Mr. Chang Kuo-sin |
23-02-2006
19:51 |
| Willis K. KOO Eng. Journalism 1987 williskoo@midland.com.hk |
You Never step into the same river twice
a quote from
Heraclatus
repeated repeatedly by Lao Yeh
From the Greek
philosophers to Ancient Confucius
a knowing man standing there
revealing life as the flow
and the fluid nature of all
changes
To the other shore
The walking journalist seizes every
moment of truth
for one can never cross
the same river
twice
The good will pass and the bad will pass
Understanding
that the guru will leave one day
I've been missing Lao Yeh ever
since he left
A true master who is interested only in the making
of the best
yet leaving the rest to stand among the best
Guess
we need both the best and the worst
to complete the
world |
| In
Memory of Mr. Chang Kuo-sin |
14-03-2006
03:57 |
| Dickie Tai-kit Lau劉帝傑 (Film 1982, from Seattle USA)
|
<The precious encouragement to a lonely foreign student in
the USA.> -
by Dickie Tai-kit Lau劉帝傑 (Film 1982, from
Seattle USA)
1. In 1979, I just happed to take Mr. Chang
Kuo-sin’s class of political science, and knew that he once was a
professional journalist who liked to write to mass-readers. But one
day when I become his reader whom he write to personally, I sense
that there is something different from him as a strict teacher and
department head….
2. In 1985, in preparing to further my
studies for the Mater degree of Communication, Mr. Chang is so kind
to write the Recommendation Letter for me. Although I never got the
chance to see what he wrote inside the sealed envelope, I trusted
that I can be admitted in the Temple University, (Philadelphia USA),
his recommendation is one of the major factors.
When I was in
Philadelphia as a lonely foreign student, while Mr. Chang is
teaching in Ohio, he used to send me letter to encourage my study,
and even congratulated to my good grades. (Attachment One - Mr.
Chang’s Jan 6, 1986 letter.)
In the letter he said that: “Got
a card from Lau Tai-Kit, now working for his Master’s in Arts at
Temple… I am truly happy. I did not know there are so many of you
now pursuing higher studies in the USA.”
3. In 1986, after I
graduated from Temple University, he sent me a letter mentioning
that. “First, I like to congratulate Daniel (Wong) and Dickie (Lau)
on your finishing your Master’s studies and that you have arranged
to stay longer for practical training…” . (Attachment Two - Mr.
Chang’s Feb 1987 letter.)
4. In 1995, after my first book
<The Pursuit of Perfection via City Culture> 《从城市文化找完美》was
published by the Baptist International Press, Mr. Chang was very
interested and requested me to send him a copy to read.
5.
In 1997, after I got married, had 2 daughters and relocated to
Washington state, he wrote me a Christmas card saying that < Dear
Dickie & family…We are in Sacramento. We could have met if we
are still in Portland.> (Attachment Three - Dec 1997 Mr. Chang’s
Christmas Card.) He was so nice to address my family. Sorry that I
missed the chance to meet with him.
6. Mr. Chang, even though
you passed away, your encouragement is always in my mind. I treasure
your personal touch very much.
Nowadays people are busy to
make money, enjoy surfing on the internet line, and no time to write
letter to each other. From a lonely foreign student to now as
someone’s father, I learn from you that, it is always worthwhile to
invest time to write. Even though it is a simple letter or a card,
it will warm someone’s heart and enlighten someone’s life. That is
why I spent many hours to retrieve your old letters and write this
article to you and to the readers.
Mr. Chang, although I
have never been a professional writer like you, I will re-commit
myself continue to write articles, columns and books, just hope that
they would bring warmth to someone in this cold and apathetic
world.
Author background:
Dickie Tai-kit Lau劉帝傑, living
in Seattle of USA. Graduated in 1982, majoring in Film/Movies.
Master in Communication from Temple University (Philadelphia, USA),
also as Ph.D. graduate student. Presently as Senior Marketing
Manager in International Trade. Author of 5 books in city culture.
Also as Columnist for <Herald Monthly>(号角月报) in the USA, and
<Christian Times>(时代論壇) in Hong Kong.
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| In
Memory of Mr. Chang Kuo-sin |
06-04-2006
03:05 |
| Ursula Yeung (1984) uysls@yahoo.com |
It was the final year for us English journalism students and
we took over editorial responsibilities of The Young Reporter. I was
the "bulter" (its chief editor). Few, especially outsiders, thought
too much of this "kitty" newspaper.
There was this issue we
wanted a story on piracy – unauthorized photocopying of published
work – as the front page lead. The page was made for Lo Yeh’s eyes
before it was to go to the printer. There was a problem – the
picture that was to go with the story. It showed a photocopying shop
with somebody inside profiled. We were told to replace it. We did
but only on the third attempt that we got his approval. I was
jumping up and down with each attempt pressing us closer to when
it’s due for the press. Deadlines were also non-negotiable to Lo
Yeh.
TYR is never just course work. It is a newspaper for us
to learn the responsibilities involved in working for or running
one. I do not think Lo Yeh was concerned about that first picture
bringing libel charge on TYR, but rather the innuendo of wrong doing
it might have on the innocent. I then learnt with press freedom
comes heavy responsibility. Press freedom is owed to the public,
among them the anonymous and most humble, who trust those who
exercise it to do so fairly and responsibly.
I am not in
journalism anymore, but this is what I, as a member of the public,
expect of the press, but more and more so today, only to be
disappointed. Mr. Chang, your student misses you and your example.
|
| In
Memory of Mr. Chang Kuo-sin |
22-08-2006
05:32 |
| Diane So dianes0@yahoo.com |
吾友張莉文之父張國興先生，與我素不相識，亦從不知道她有這樣一位出名的父親。
自從年初張先生去世後，莉文亦辭職在家照顧寡居的母親。 如此我們見面的機會多了。 每每談及她的父親， 都會令我感動不已，
大有相逢恨晚的感覺。 甚至在夢中張先生要我和莉文一起去教堂。我想張先生在生時令世人得益良多，去世後又引導我走上天堂之路。
我不得不由衷地寫下一首詩來表達我敬重之情。
回眸九旬憶張公，國興長留汗馬功。
無畏無私掀竹幕，不偏不倚表丹衷。
唯真為善無冕王，諸公袞袞皆去空。
英魂偉迹長存在,
基金獎學紀高風。
|
| In
Memory of Mr. Chang Kuo-sin |
22-08-2006
09:21 |
| Gemma Hsieh (Chang Kuo-sin's second daughter)
tom.gemma.hsieh@sbcglobal.net |
A MIRACLE
I am a Roman Catholic. I believe in eternal
life. I believe in Heaven, Purgatory and Hell. We are all here on a
pilgrimage, where we go after this life is very important to
me.
My father was a kind, compassionate, just, generous and
righteous man. I loved him dearly. He was my rock, my guidance, and
my first love. He was never baptized in any religion. He loved to
talk about Confucius’ philosophy. He was a very intelligent man and
read millions of books, But, I never found out if he had ever read
the Bible. A few years ago, I have given him a Bible for Christmas.
After he passed away, we found that Bible still wrapped in the
plastic bag, untouched.
I always prayed for my father in front of
the Tabernacle. I asked God not to take my dad until he was ready to
go straight to Heaven. I also knew, one day when my dad passed away,
I would be very very sad, unless I know he is in Heaven, and then
I’ll be very very happy.
When my sister Bernie called and told me
dad was in the hospital, I was not worried. With my human reasoning,
it was not time for dad to go yet, because he had not been baptized
to become Catholic. I was all wrong. God took my dad on Feb 2
without any
warning. When I received the bad news, I was shocked
and numbed. Surprisingly, I was not extremely sad. Somewhat I had a
feeling, God has answered my prayers. But, I was not
sure.
According to Chinese's belief, the dead will come back on
the seventh day to visit his (or hers) loved ones. On Feb 9, the
seventh day, my dad came to me in my dream. He called me on the
phone. I didn’t remember what he said. I only remembered his voice
was calm and pleasant. I told him twice I loved him at the end of
the phone call. The next morning, I had a very good feeling that dad
was in heaven.
On Feb 10, we had the wake at the funeral home.
Before we left for the funeral home, I wrote a short note to my
father, ‘My dearest dad, I am sad that you left us so sudden. I am
happy you called me last night. I knew you are with our Heavenly
Father now. Please give me a yellow rose as a sign that I am 100%
sure you are there. I love you, I love you.
Your daughter, LeeWan
(Gemma)’
When we arrived at the funeral home, I went up to the
coffin and put the note inside my father’s pocket without telling
anyone. Then, I looked around, tried to find a yellow rose.
There
was not one yellow rose. My heart sank. I said to my husband Tom,
‘Let’s sit down and pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.’ After we were
done, my brother Chi-wu came over and said, “let's pray the rosary.’
Three of us started praying the rosary. Before we finished the
rosary, I heard a lady from the funeral home brought in more
flowers. She placed them at the right side of the wall. I didn’t
look up. I heard my sister Carol and my sister-in-law Sandy
saying,’Oh, this wreath is from us to dad. Let's move it to
upfront.’ They placed the flowers right in front of where we were
praying. Carol had ordered the wreath that morning. She requested
$100.00 worth of wreath, and it was from the children, grandchildren
and the spouses. She did not ask for what kind of flowers or what
colors.
After we were done praying, I looked up. OH! MY GOD! Here
were the YELLOW ROSES! I rubbed my eyes and went up to touch them
and counted. There were six yellow roses. Dad always treated his
children fairly, impartial. He did have six children, five of us
here and one in heaven. There were four big yellow mums for four
spouses, five orchids for five grandchildren. I was totally in awe.
I turned around and told my mom and the siblings, ‘Don't be sad, dad
is in Heaven! Look at the yellow roses!’ No one knew what was I
talking about, they probably thought I was crazy. I took the ‘secret
note’ out from dad's pocket to show it to my brother Chi-wu and he
took a picture of it.
No word can describe my joy of knowing my
father is enjoying the eternal life now. We have a loving GOD, whom
judges us differently. God has replaced my tears with smiles, filled
my heart with joy and peace.
Thank you, LORD, for giving me the
gift of faith.
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