Mourning for John Chen, the Brother We Loved So Much from Church

We all will die! Death is something every human being must face and cannot escape. However, when it happens to a wonderful individual at a not too ripe age, it seems untimely and tragic. We often ask the question:

  'Why? God, why did this happen to such a great person so early?"

 

I volunteered to serve on our church's Refreshment Team and last week I was at church, serving alongside John, getting coffee ready and preparing some snacks for the congregation after the service. John, a cheerful person and dedicated husband and father, always greeted me with a happy smile and a welcoming hello. We chatted briefly and went on our business of serving beverages and sancks to the people who came to us.

  Imagine my shock when I received an email informing me that John had passed away suddenly on Monday and there would be a funeral service for him on Saturday. I could not believe it and neither could I accept it. How could it be? I just talked to him on Sunday at church and he looked healthy?

 

We attended John's celebration of life service at church along with many others. John's life must have touched many people as there was not enough room to accommondate all the people who came to say their final farewll to this beloved Christian brother.

 

 

  Many of whom were John's colleagues and some were there to share their stories about their kind colleague.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  One thing that struck me was how well and brave John's widow and his only 12 year old son handled themselves at this service. For most people, there would be so much grief and probably uncontrollable outburst of crying at this service. However, S. and her son, though very sad, were calm and poised.

Most people could not hold back their tears, when John's wife, S. delievered her speech and did a handbell musical piece with her son and later played her favourite piano piece at the end to honour John. What a brave and strong woman steering through life's hardest storm!

I would not be able to say anything without breaking down had I been in her situation.

 

S.'s demonstration of strength might have stemmed from her unshakable deep rooted faith in God and her strong character. S.'s strength was demonstrated once again in how she planned the memorial service for her late husband.

 

 

 

  She organized a love potluck feast after the service encouraging mourners to share their favourite dishes along with the stories they remembered about John. This love feast provided an opportunity for John's friends and colleagues to get together to share a meal and memories of John. It was warm, welcoming and hospitalbe, much like what the character of John.

We were deeply touched and were honoured to have been at John's memorial service. I promise that my husband and I will be by John's wife and her son's side and lend our support to them for as long as we can.

  May John rest in peace and may God be with S. and her family!

  RT, Toronto

  032026