A tribute to my brother

Remembrance haigas for my brother

What can I say about my precious brother Gladwyn, my only brother, who was like a rock, someone whom I could always count on for unfaltering love and support, whose love was so pure, so steadfast, so boundless… who was so compassionate, and generous to a fault. What can I say about a brother whom I loved so dearly and now miss so badly… I miss his gentle voice, his smile, his caring ways, his music… A marine engineer by profession, he was passionate about music, sang beautifully, played several musical instruments, and composed music as well.

Gladwyn was someone special. And I feel so blessed to have had someone like him as my brother.

It’s been a year since he succumbed to a sudden and fatal cardiac arrest. 16^th of November 2019 – that’s the day he left to return to his Maker without a final farewell to his loved ones, plunging us all into unbearable grief.

Just when we least expected it, he departed, silently. The end came ‘like a thief in the night’ as we’re told in the Bible. And then God took him in His loving arms and took him back to Himself.

Today, on his first death anniversary, this is my humble tribute to him through my new-found love of the Japanese haiga – a three-line poem (haiku) – illustrated by an image that subtly and creatively communicates the message or thought expressed.