Thunder Bay, Ontario
The Sleeping Giant, landmark of Thunder Bay |
Hoito - Our favorite Finnish Pancake Restaurant |
The images of laughter, friends, family, warm and welcoming neighbours, pictures of pig roast parties at my brother’s huge backyard, commencement ceremony, my youthful days, talks of plans for the future, and dreams of conquering the world all floated in front of me and melted into one big happy scene whenever I touched down on the soil of Thunder Bay - Ah, the city of my youth and dreams, where I spent the happiest part of my teenage years in the 70’s.
Finnish Book Store - where we visited weekly to send letters to friends overseas |
Happy memories abound in these two houses between the Jung's & us |
I always have delightful memories of the city of the Sleeping Giant. But sadly, my joyful recall of the past was overshadowed by the passing of one of the most wonderful people I had the privilege of knowing, Mrs. Jung, our neighbour during the early 70's. I was in the city to attend her funeral and to offer my support to her wonderful children, and her husband, Let Jung.
I went to the visitation on Thursday evening and the Friday funeral
service at the Sargent and Son Funeral Chapel, on Court Street, to convey my condolences on behalf of my family. The pain of losing Mrs.
Jung was evident and written on the faces of her surviving family members.
I could feel the sadness and agony of their loss. Nothing could ever ease the pain of a loved one taken from us so suddenly. The only thing we could do is to let the family know that we share their pain and be there for them. This was what compelled me to come from Toronto for the funeral
service.
The Jung's and their friend |
Attending Mrs. Jung’s funeral allowed me the opportunity to pay my last respect to her. It also helped me to get reconnected with my old friends from my teenage years and the chance to revisit some of my happiest days, as well as affording me the time to reflect and re evaluate the priorities in my life. Nothing could be more important than spending time with family, and the people I love.
The funeral service
was a touching one from start to finish. With Chinese violin music softly playing in the background, Mrs. Jung’s casket was open, and she looked serene as if she were just sleeping.
I remembered her kind, porcelain complexion very well. Her hearty laughter, her twinkling eyes, and the high pitch singing voice when she got excited singing with my parents in our living room, scenes of happy neighbourly get together all came back to me.
How could I every forget the giggles and great laugh we had at her kitchen table after she gave me a pretty graphic explanation about the birds and the bees ( Refused to discuss with my parents on this sensitive topic, I pestered and begged Mrs. Jung for days about this mystery of life and she eventually relented) ; our chitchats in her vegetable garden, the B-B-Q in our backyards, the traditions she shared with us about Christmas gift exchange in Canada, our first Christmas pictures taken in the Jung's living room, our driving excursions to Chippawa Park, the falls, and other places...etc.
She brought us so much joy and laughter. What a beautiful person inside and out! I was taken away and lost in my happy memory of the past.
Mrs. Jung - A Beautiful Lady Inside and Out |
I remembered her kind, porcelain complexion very well. Her hearty laughter, her twinkling eyes, and the high pitch singing voice when she got excited singing with my parents in our living room, scenes of happy neighbourly get together all came back to me.
How could I every forget the giggles and great laugh we had at her kitchen table after she gave me a pretty graphic explanation about the birds and the bees ( Refused to discuss with my parents on this sensitive topic, I pestered and begged Mrs. Jung for days about this mystery of life and she eventually relented) ; our chitchats in her vegetable garden, the B-B-Q in our backyards, the traditions she shared with us about Christmas gift exchange in Canada, our first Christmas pictures taken in the Jung's living room, our driving excursions to Chippawa Park, the falls, and other places...etc.
She brought us so much joy and laughter. What a beautiful person inside and out! I was taken away and lost in my happy memory of the past.
The service started after the family was given a private
moment while the casket was being closed. Then the Reverend led the immediate
family members each to light a candle placed at the front, followed by
scripture readings of comforting passages of Jesus from the bible as well as from Psalm 23.
There were three musical selections by the family and each piece of music was
played after a scripture reading. All three musical selections were
beautiful.
The one that touched me the most and perhaps many others was Dust in the Wind. Listening to that song brought me to the
realization that Mrs. Jung was really gone and we were all but just dust on
this earth eventually. I was all choked up and I didn’t think there were too many dry eyes in the house either.
Alana, Mrs. Jung's granddaughter who was the apple of her eye, and her three children,
Parker, Linda and Dinah took turn to remember and pay tribute to their dear mother. They all shared with us her love and dedication to the family. There
were some light hearted moments and fond memories of her recalled by them.
I was glad that I made the trip to Thunder Bay
and shared with the family this important moment of their lives. I stayed with the family as much as I could this past weekend because it might be a
little while before I could see them
again. It is unfortunate that we only see the people we love in unpleasant circumstances such as this. I must change that and
try my best to make time for my family, friends and those I love.
Sleeping Giant, Thunder Bay - seen from the top of the hill at Hillcrest Park |
Good Bye, Mrs. Jung, thank you for all you had done for our family. You are gone, but not forgotten. We love you and will always remember you!
R.T. Thunder Bay, Ontario
October 27, 2012
No comments:
Post a Comment