... so good to welcome our grandson

UltraSound Scan of our Grandson

On our return from US, we attended David's wake. Jon and Andrea picked us up and send us home that evening. In the car, Andrea gave us the news of the year - we are going to be grandparents in Feb 2016

Connie was so tired that she did not hear the announcement and only later when I repeated it to her  that she realised it and was overjoyed. It was a surprise to them and us but it  was truly a blessing. On hindsight I think they realise it is a good thing that the 'accident' happened.

So good to know that another generation is on the way!

... (not) so good as David passes on.

Just as we were about to leave SF to return to Singapore we heard the sad news that David (Connie's second brother) passed away from complications from his cancer. This is the second person we lost in the month of July. Life is indeed short.

David was diagnosed with cancer of the throat more than a year ago. He went for surgery and recovered well enough to complete a half marathon in early 2015. So it was a shock when we heard (during our trip) that he was hospitalized from a relapse.  

Though Connie had her differences with him over the care of their mother, she was still upset by her loss. Theresa (his wife) held up well and is now volunteering at a hospice to look after a priest from their church. 

David was the most health conscious and it came as a shock that he was the first to pass on - it just goes to show how unpredictable life is. We can do everything to prolong our journey here but when it is time to go; there's nothing we can do to change it. Just a reminder to value each day we have - to live and love to the fullest.

... so good to celebrate Connie's birthday with Ken in SF

It was the last day of our stay in SF - flying off at midnight but we managed to squeeze in a birthday dinner for Connie at  Scoma's Restaurant - one of the best seafood restaurant in the Fisherman's Wharf.

The food was great but greater still was being able to celebrate Connie's birthday with Kenneth who has been away for six years and missing on his mum's birthday for quite a few years!

Such a blessing to be able to just have a celebratory dinner with him and his flatmate (Ian). The perfect end to another great trip!