a childhood friend goes home
April 10th, 2006
The phone woke me up at six on Saturday and I was totally unprepared for what was to follow: a childhood friend of mine had passed away and the wife Vivien was asking for help. Zipped down to the home and saw ambulance and police outside. It was true: Robert Yaw laid stiff on the sofa. Robert Yaw and I grew up in the same neighbourhood, went through primary and secondary schools together, accepted Christ together at Jalan Demawan the first location of our church. After PreU we drifted apart as he left church, went to NS and NUS from which he graduated with an English honours. He was a talented and brilliant guy not in the academic sense but in being able to grasp complex abstract and technical ideas and explain it in a clear and concise way. His English was always tops. But at NS the stress hit him and he was warded in Woodbridge and given a discharge. He worked in journalism and editing and computers for various companies, but after a return to church and a revival, his passion for knowing Christ and making Him known grew steadily. He also had several relapses of his illness, particularly when undergoing highly stressful situations. But despite this, he persevered with and in his faith in Christ. In a way he was heroic in his battles against his illness. His faith shone through. He is a beacon of hope to all who suffer from mental and emotional disorders. On Sunday’s wake service many heard the spontaneous eulogies of former classmates, relatives, colleagues and friends. Tears were on many faces. Since Robert was a quiet and modest man, it was good that Grace, the daughter, and Vivien, the wife got to hear how he impacted and helped so many others. I could hold back my tears ( partly a professional hazard) until I reached the viewing room after the fueral service this morning. It was too much ; I was just overwhelmed. Ironically Monday was his birthday- he would have been celebrating his 51st. Nevertheless, Easter is around the corner and I am filled with hope and joy because I am a child of the resurrection! Robert, we’ll meet again.
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