Sadness Beyond Words

We had some dealings with a family business north of the city. The husband even traveled with the father and the owner. A few years passed. I called yesterday to ask for the return of some items left there. A lady picked up the phone, I was like, in my usual cheering voice, “Hey, M, how are you? It’s me, Min.” The lady corrected that M wasn’t there, she was the sister in law of M. Since M was away, I went on with what I had to say. Half way into the conversation, the sister in law told me that in fact M had already passed away, a year ago…

I was shocked. When we were working with them, M was in her late 30s, single and avid rapid water rafter. In the past few years, she met a man on her rafting trip, gave birth to a daughter and got married… While M was rapidly catching up with life’s phases, colon cancer took over her and sucked her in. I called back and talked to M’s father today. The thing that seemed to touch him the most was that I even remembered M’s birthday. Other than that, I didn’t have much to say. I just listened and felt the extreme sadness coming out of his calm voice. People like him bearing such sadness have a noble quality. I was humbled in front of him.