Remembrance of my Beloved Mom
楊嶺梅 Yong Liang Moi
12.9.1951 - 22.3.2023
The day of death better than the day of birth. (Ecclesiastes 7:1b)
The best gift of life that I have given to you is Jesus.
I will see you in Heaven in your glorious beautiful body.
Story of Mama
Mama was born in a very poor family of a farmer in Perlis. She had two sisters and two brothers where one of the sisters was adopted by another family because her parents couldn't afford to raise them. In fact, her parents were waiting for someone to adopt her but it didn't happen. Her actual birthday is unknown because her parents didn't register her when she was born while waiting for a guardian. She grew up happily in her own family with both parents and three elder siblings although they were very poor. She was most loved in the family as the youngest child.
Mama grew up in the paddy field and muddy coast in Perlis. They had no electricity and water. They lived in a wooden house surrounded by coconut trees in the middle of the paddy field. She showered and played in the river everyday; she climbed coconut tree with barefoot; she ran in the paddy field freely. What a wonderful childhood in the countryside!
Her family was very poor, therefore she could only attend primary school. At the age 13 years old, she had to work to earn a living. Knowing this, I determined to study as far as I could to fulfil what she couldn't do.
Mama was a very skillful tailor. She was blessed with many beautiful clothes that she made. She sewed her own wedding dress.
Today, I am still wearing some of the clothes she made for me in my twenties. Her tailored-made clothes are absolutely good quality and long lasting.
Mama was blessed to be married to my dad. My dad also came from a very poor family but he is a very hardworking husband and father, a man of endurance, diligent, and responsible.
Mama was so grateful that with dad, they have three gorgeous children whom she loved.
1985
Mama gave me a beautiful name - Li Sze 麗詩, which means a beautiful poet (美麗的詩人). No doubt she loved poem. When I was a little girl, I saw my mom was the most beautiful mother in the world!
Although I don't have a rich or highly-educated mom, I am very grateful that I had a mom when I was a little girl. I was neither left on the street nor in the orphanage. But I had a mom who taught me to write, study, swim, cook, sew, etc... You sent me to school, tuition, and piano lesson. You taught me to stay strong in life in face of challenges, to be obedience, hardworking, and courageous to achieve my dreams.
1978
2001
Mama was so proud of me when I achieved 5As in STPM, which granted me admission to the top university in Malaysia, the University Malaya, to study B.Eng. Telecommunication.
Again, Mama was so proud of me when I graduated from UM with first class honors. It's my gift for Mama to receive the honor and pride of her daughter.
Mama was the proudest woman when I graduated with Ph.D. Electrical and Electronic Engineering from The University of Sheffield, United Kingdom, in 2006. I gave Mama all the honors for her daughter who is the only Ph.D. holder among the Chow and Yong families.
When I was in UK, I knew I must returned to Malaysia to take care of my parents in their old age. I am so grateful that I did it!
2006
After working for a year in UK, thankfully I was able to bless my parents for an Europe Tour in 2006. We visited London, France, Italy, and Switzerland. I am so grateful that I did it while my parents were healthy and younger. It's a memory of our lifetimes.
2006
Beyond all the above, the best gift of life that I have given to Mama is Jesus Christ. Thank You Jesus that Mama is the first person that I led to Christ. I was in tears when I saw you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior with a willing heart in following the sinner's prayer. Although I couldn't bring you for baptism in church due to the objection of family member, I had, by faith, personally baptized Mama in the Name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. For sure, I will see Mama and Zhen Kan (my son) in Heaven in your glorious body with eternal joy, peace, and love.
Remembering those days that I laid hand to pray for Mama's back pain, you were healed. You followed me to recite Psalm 23 verses by verses. I showered you, clothed you, trimmed your nail, cut your hair, cleaned your room, and always prayed for you everyday.
2017
Mama suffered from Alzheimer's disease since early 60s. Since then, I missed you so much because we couldn't talked like before. But it was only during that time, you hugged me and told me, "I love you so much." I love you too Mama.
I wish I could do more for Mama. I am deeply sorry that I am not a perfect daughter, but I believe that Mama is still very proud of me and forgive all my wrongdoings because you love me.
2020
2020
When I saw Mama suffered so much physically, I asked God to release your spirit and bring you to Heaven where you will be fully restored, no more pain and suffering or tears, but you will be surrounded by the amazing love of Jesus in Heaven, where we will surely meet again one day.
2020
God is gracious that my dad and brother were with Mama when you were taken home at the age of 72. You were not alone in hospital but you were with your loves one at home.
As you wished, we spread your ashes to the sea at Pulau Ketam. It was a cloudy day just as I asked God. The drizzle fell on my face when I started to cry. I knew Jesus was and is always with me. He cried with me.
22.3.2023
In Memory of Mama
22.3.2023 Mama returned to the Lord at 72
23.3.2023 Service of Remembrance
24.3.2023 Funeral and Cremation
25.3.2023 Ashes spread over Pulau Ketam
A humble service in remembrance of Mama at your own home at Desa Setapak
Mama's bone after cremation
Pulau Ketam. This is the hand of my younger brother, Kim.
25.3.2023
2 days later, for the first time in my life, I heard a Hakka worship song, the first song sung in the prayer meeting of Sarawak Blessed Church (on 25.3.2023, the day we spread your ashes). It means a lot to me because we are Hakka. The whole lyrics gave me the answers and assurance to my prayers. Although Mama was a young believer with Alzheimer's disease when you accepted Jesus; although it was only me who baptized you personally, I know and I know again, by faith, God has answered my prayer, forgiven all your sins, accepted you as His daughter and welcomed you back to the eternal home in Heaven.
Few days later, when I woke up in the morning, I heard the song I recorded in my piano Youtube channel recently:
Thank you Jesus for the blood applied
Thank you Jesus, it has washed me white
Thank you Jesus, You have saved my life
Brought me from the darkness into glorious light