Back from 二姨's wake.

I remember it was only 3 months ago, right after I returned from my Sabah trip, when ma told me that 二姨 was diagnosed with kidney cancer. She was already in stage IV then. Within these 3 months, the cancer has metastasized to her lungs and liver.

While folding the 金银纸 just now, I realised that my 舅舅s and 阿姨s have aged... They looked much much older than what I remember. This was something that I hadn't noticed over the years (probably because everyone dyed their hair during CNY, thus looking younger). 三舅 has started to bald terribly. 二舅母 has always been 慈祥- looking, not so haggard-looking like today. Even 小姨, whom I thought is the youngest-looking among my ma' siblings, looked much older than her actual age.

Every year during CNY, I can't help but wonder whether it will be the last time I am having reunion dinner with my parents. And while I celebrate my parents' birthday with them every year, will it also be the last birthday that we celebrate for them?