today, i said goodbye to my uncle buu. we cremated him today after he had passed almost a week and half ago. throughout all the visits i was sad, but i always found comfort knowing i could see him the next day. everyday i visited him, lit incense for him and told him how my day was and thanked him for all he did. today felt like it would be no different but i knew it would be.
after the monks said the final prayers, we paid our last respects to him. walking up to him and letting him know how i felt and that i was thankful for all he did for me and the family, i started getting choked up. after i took my seat for my last thoughts before we took him away, i saw him lying in the casket. and i realized. this would be the last time i would see his face in person, this would be the last time i would be able to SEE him in the flesh. and at that point, i couldnt keep it in anymore. all i could do was let all the tears come out. when my dad came over and put a hand on my shoulder and consoled me, i couldnt help but cry more. my dad isn’t a touchy kind of guy and for him to console me like that, it really made me realize the situation we were all in. my mom came up from behind me and put her hands on my shoulder and i could hear her voice and i knew she was crying too. my aunt told me it would be ok. that Uncle Buu would be in a happier place. no more worries no more cares all he had done in life was done. he came and did what he did. now he can go and follow grandpa and be with Buddha and watch over all of us. i knew she was trying to be strong but i saw the tears coming out as well. not a single eye was dry.
when the monks said the prayer to close the casket, we all had to look away. but when i heard the lid close, heard it shut, it was like someone was shutting a part of my away for good. at this point, looking around, all the aunts the cousins were all crying. our uncle who was there for us was truly finally gone. and we wouldnt be able to see him again. when we took him out to cremate, we all laid flowers on the casket before we cremated him. hearing my oldest uncle, laying flowers from himself, from our grandma and from Uncle Buu’s girlfriend from Vietnam. after the final blessing, the pallbearers rolled the coffin into the furnace and began the cremation. at this point all the emotion from the family, the friends came rolling out. one aunt waved good bye between sobs as she bid farewell to her little brother. my youngest uncle, holding the picture of my Uncle Buu could only watch, leaned against the wall because of the pain, as his older brother was cremated.
after all was said and done, im reminded of the importance of family. being there for each other, drawing strength from each other and always counting on each other. because family is the one true thing you can always count on in this life. and even after passing to the next life, your family is still there to take care of you and help you in whatever way they can. RIP Uncle Buu. our tears were not sadness. they were of happiness. because you came to this world, you lived your life and now you have no more worries. you can be with grandpa and watch over us. and i know i’ll do my best to take advantage of all the opportunities you gave me.
