Cowboy Caleb the liberal arts, grown-up stuff & random mischief

My Condolences To Threez And Her Family

Yesterday was a really bad day. I received an sms informing me that Threez’s father had passed away. I made plans to meet up with Tym after work and attend the wake at the church. While in a cab on the way to the church, my wife called up to inform me that my mother-in-law had totally flipped when she found out I was going. You see, the Chinese believe that brides/grooms to-be should not go anywhere hospitals, pregnant women and funerals or great misfortune will fall upon their marriage.

So only Tym got off the cab and alighted. I told the cab driver to turn back and drive me to my wife’s place. Being bound by some nonsense idiotic unprovable superstition really pissed me off. So Threez, if you read this later - I’m sorry I could only pass the pek kim and not come in person…

Later in the night, I discovered the the Malaysian PM’s wife had passed away too. Apart from all the M’sian radio stations halting their airplay and broadcasting muzak exclusively, there wasn’t really any mourning. I still remember when as a kid, the Sultan’s mom passed away and he issued a decree for everybody to wear a black cloth pinned to their sleeves. Soldiers went around smacking people who didn’t comply.

Yesterday was a really bad day.

I’m not asking you to declare WW3 with your in-laws but the only way to stop silly superstition is to ignore it. Will you impose such views on your children? If not, why submit to it?

I got into trouble with my mother-in-law too about other superstition but, after that, she never impose any on me because she knows I will not follow. Don’t set a precedent that you are not prepared to accept in the future.

Same thing happen to me, but its my dad funeral and my niece who used to be with us when she is newborn until 5 years old could not attend as she is preparing for her wedding. She could not even look at us directly if she meet us on the street as according to the belief its not good to have bad and good “luck” clash…

Cowboy! Pek Kim duly received with thanks (also many thanks to Tym who was a great comfort).

Hey totally understand the customs. I just barely scraped out of a battle between one side Buddhist, another side Catholic and none of them happy with the one Christian daughter getting her Pastor to hold the funeral service.