Eulogy for Soon Beng

Soon Beng as we all know was someone we'll treasure for a long long time. He is someone anyone would call a friend - this is very apparent by the number of people who were at the hospital when he met with the accident on Friday and who have come to pay their respects till today. I am very very sure that he will be smiling down at us now and very happy to know that what he did in his lifetime was all not in vain. He touched many of us here in one way or the other. His big heart, gentle ways and simplicity in life are typical of Soon Beng. Anyone who knew him well can attest to all these. Even in death, he did not want anything grand and pompous but just a simple funeral with friends around; guess he did not know that even with this "simplicity", the turnout is even grander than he would have dreamed of.

Soon Beng will be remembered for someone who loves to eat, will go out of his way to help anyone he meets, has respect for his elders and is someone whose company anyone will enjoy at all times. The comical side of him were seen in his funny antics - the funny faces he made, the witty replies he gave and the many other things he did.

I'm sure that he will not enjoy seeing us here being sad but instead would like us to think of him enjoying himself up there, being free and easy. It's hard not to be sad at this time, knowing that it's going to be a long time till we meet again .......... it's only human to cry but Soon Beng would advise us to let it all out and then move on and enjoy life like he did. He was not someone who lived in the past but lived for the future and enjoyed every living moment. So i guess, we should all try and follow suit.

The following poem would best describe Soon Beng's short, sharp and straight to the point speech to us today:
Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awake in the morning hush,
I am the swift upflinging rush Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there, I did not die.

Soon Beng is now not lying still doing nothing; his presence is all around us,
in everything that moves and in everything wonderful,
we should therefore be aware that though he is physically gone from us, his presence is still very much alive in many aspects and moments of our lives.
So, Soon Beng, thanks for all you've given us and the time you invested in us - we will not forget. So my friend, till we meet again, know that we love you .............. take care and enjoy, not goodbye but see u ..........


the above eulogy was written by Alison and delivered by Michael