I’d never known what deep grief could actually feel like.
At least not until last week, when I lost my Aunty Catherine – possibly the strongest woman I’ve ever known – in her long battle against cancer.
It’s been slightly over a week since Aunty Catherine passed away last Monday, on the 17th of August 2015, and in the past 10 days or so, I still find it hard to imagine that she won’t be around the next time I visit Singapore.
A lump forms in my throat when I think of her passing, tears start to fall and I don’t bother to hold them back, even as I type out this messy train of thoughts that I’ve had running around my mind in the last one week.
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Aunty Catherine was the one who cradled me and let me fall asleep on her chest when I was a newborn infant, as she helped my mum to look after me after my mum’s C-section operation. In Aunty Catherine’s words, I was “as tiny as a little rabbit” and she didn’t dare move as I slept for fear of waking me up or crushing me.
As I grew older and developed a fascination with DIY home decoration, I’d accompany Aunty Catherine to The Concourse shopping center where we’d scour through the huge discount bins at decoration stores and return home laden with bags filled with Christmas decorations. Aunty Catherine used to live in Malaysia, where her husband and my cousins live, and whenever she crossed the causeway to visit us in Singapore, she’d often stay at my place, and many nights were spent with me listening to the numerous stories that she had to tell.
When I returned home to Singapore from Buenos Aires this March for a short three-week vacation, the first thing I saw when I entered my house was my mum, Aunty Catherine, and my domestic helper Miriam, all busy cooking in the kitchen to prepare for my homecoming dinner.
I remember observing Aunty Catherine’s frame, so much thinner than the last time I’d seen her two years ago – due to the side effects of the chemotherapy pills she’d been taking. But still, despite her fight with cancer, she was always smiling, optimistic and full of joy and energy. She invited me to high tea at a hotel along Orchard Road one Tuesday, and we had lunch with Aunty Adeline at Paragon the next day.
On the day before she left for a trip to Australia, I hugged Aunty Catherine tightly as we said our goodbyes, thinking that it could possibly be the last time I saw her (and desperately hoping I was wrong).
When my mum called a few weeks back to tell me that Aunty Catherine’s condition had taken a turn for the worse, and that she had to be warded in the Singapore General Hospital (SGH) because the water accumulated in her lungs was simply too much for her to breathe without the help of an oxygen tube, my heart sank.
Still, I stubbornly clung on to the hope that Aunty Catherine would be able to pull through and defeat this horrid cancer, as she had previously done so once in 1989, and a second time in 2009.
It’s hard to be far away and not be able to be near your loved ones in moments like these.
When Aunty Catherine’s condition further deteoriated last last weekend – my cousin Shawn called me on FaceTime to let me speak to Aunty Catherine.
Seeing her through the video call was heartbreaking – she was hooked up to tubes, her eyes were closed because she was simply too tired, and her cheeks were sunken – the woman I saw on the video was merely a fraction of the lively, energetic Aunty Catherine I’d known my whole life. I could barely hold back my tears, and the only thing I could choke out was this – “I love you Aunty Catherine. You’re the strongest person I’ve ever known.” Even in her exhausted state, she managed to force out the words “I love you too.”
Aunty Catherine passed away a few days later, to be reunited with God in Heaven. I remember breaking down, my body shaking uncontrollably with sadness and the unbelief that I wouldn’t be able to see her or speak to her anymore. I remember calling my parents in Singapore, texting my cousins and other family members, desperately trying to reconcile the fact that she was no longer suffering with the fact that I’d never be able to hug her again or hear her laughter ringing through my house in Singapore.
I still can’t believe it. I still find it hard to accept. And I’m still heartbroken.
I can’t stop the tears from flowing – some times it hits me harder than usual. There are moments in which I’m better, and other moments in which I can’t fathom the reality of her passing.
Speaking with my friend Jane this week, we came to the conclusion that when such things happen, we are forced to realize that life is really very short, and we have to make the most of every single moment.
Aunty Catherine lived her 64 years on earth with a fervor and strength and an unshakable faith that few people have. Every day of her life was spent making a difference in the lives of those around. She was an inspiration to so many people, not just my family, and I am so incredibly proud of her.
I love you Aunty Catherine. Thank you for every single thing you’ve done for me. Thank you for living your life like a warrior in battle, for showing us strength and love and what it means to have an unwavering faith in God. I love you, so much more than words can say.
And friends, I hope that like Aunty Catherine, we will all live our lives to the fullest we possibly can. I’m going to try to do that, because I owe it to Aunty Catherine to do so.
Today, I’m sharing a simple dish, one that doesn’t require much work at all, and is great for moments like these, when your heart is down and you need something easy but filling and heartwarming.
Fluffy cauliflower couscous that is seasoned with dried garlic, parsley and a pinch of salt.
I hope you’ll enjoy it, and thanks so much for reading.
PrintCauliflower Couscous
- Total Time: 30 mins
- Yield: 2 bowls 1x
Ingredients
- 1 large head of cauliflower, florets only
- 2 teaspoons of dried garlic
- 2 teaspoons of dried parsley
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Place the washed cauliflower florets in the bowl of a food processor or blender and pulse until you get the texture of couscous (do not place too many florets at once. Do it in batches depending on the size of your food processor. I had to pulse the florets in 4 different batches)
- In a large wide pan on low heat, place the cauliflower couscous and sprinkle on the dried garlic and dried parsley
- Stir well with a wooden spoon, and cook until ingredients are well combined and cauliflower is soft and cooked
- Season with salt to taste
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: Grain-free
Danguole says
I’m so sorry for your loss, Felicia! She sounds like an amazing woman. This was a lovely tribute — and what an appropriately beautiful, comforting dish!
felicia | Dish by Dish says
Danguole, thank you for your kind words! Aunty Catherine was an amazing woman (and still is, even if she is no longer around). 🙂 I am so proud to be her niece.
Carolyn says
Sweet Felicia, how sorry I am for the loss of your Dear Aunty Catherine. It is always sad when we loose our loved ones. Time passes and lightens our heavy hearts but the sadness remains forever in our hearts. Even our beautiful memories are sad. You can feel blessed for having your sweet Aunty in your life and being able to create a bonding of your souls that last an eternity, hopefully to meet again….Hugs dear one….
felicia | Dish by Dish says
Carolyn, thank you so much for your lovely words…I do miss Aunty Catherine and it’s hard knowing I won’t be able to see her again, but the memories will always be with me.
Tina-Joy Kinard says
Tears, heart-thoughts and prayers are with you Felicia. Though I am old enough to be your grandmother–maybe great-grand–I am always interested to read your blog entries and recipes. May the Lord’s love be reflected in your life and encourage you to seek His face in every life moment. Ever blessings…
Florian @ContentednessCooking says
I’m so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you and your family!
felicia | Dish by Dish says
Thank you Florian, your thoughts are appreciated 🙂
Catherine says
Dear Felicia, I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my prayers during this difficult time…a beautiful tribute to your aunt. Much love to you dear. xo, Catherine
felicia | Dish by Dish says
Thank you sweet Catherine…your prayers are greatly appreciated..I know this difficult moment will pass with time, and in the meanwhile, all prayers really help! Much love to you too!
Debra @ Bowl Me Over says
Thank you for sharing your beautiful heartfelt moments. So full of emotion I cried also, for your Aunty Catherine and for my own family members battling this horrific disease. She sounds like a wonderful lady and I’m glad you shared this glimpse of her. My heart goes out to you and your family. God bless.
felicia | Dish by Dish says
Debra, your words mean so much to me. It’s really difficult to deal with the fact that Aunty Catherine is gone.. but I know that at least she is no longer suffering. I hope your family members will be able to overcome cancer… and that you will be able to spend as much time as you can with them. God bless too..!
Grace Lim says
Dear Felicia,
I am so touched by your tribute to Aunty Catherine who is now walking the golden street of heaven.
We all have our season of grief at the temporary parting with her and I am very sure that Aunty Catherine would love all of us to keep smiling and be joyful in our spirit for her. As you rightly said, to follow her example to live life to the fullest in being a blessing to the many people we come into contact on this earth.
I remember one of the pastors at her wake services reminded us that it is not how long one lived but how much one loved that really matter. So let us all move forward – living a daily life that pleases God and loving people with all the love we have received from our heavenly Father – thus fulfilling the purpose God has for each one of us.
With much love and hugs,
Mum
felicia | Dish by Dish says
Aunty Catherine lived a rich & beautiful life, and I’m sure she’s smiling done on us from Heaven! Love you very much mummy!
Graciela says
Lamento mucho la pérdida de tu tía y deseo que todos esos momentos compartidos con ella te sirvan de consuelo durante esta dificil etapa. Estaré orando por vos y tus seres queridos.
Gracias por compartir esta receta. Me encantó! Te cuento que sigo tus recetas muy de cerca ya que estoy siguiendo el plan del Dr. Davis y me ayuda mucho tus ideas. Hasta la fecha, desde el 5 de enero, perdí 29 kilos. Increible como este estilo de vida ha cambiado no solo mi vida, pero mi salud. Abrazos desde Atlanta de una seguidora argentina. :o)
felicia | Dish by Dish says
Graciela…muchas gracias por tus palabras hermosas. Es un momento dificil emocionalmente, pero vamos a superarlo. Me alegro mucho que las recetas en el blog te ayudan! 🙂 Dr Davis es un genio y la verdad su libro es para leer y re-leer!
Te mando abrazos desde Buenos Aires!