Last month, we brought you the story of Singaporean dad Jeremy Sim, who lost his dear wife to cancer.
His story touched all of you in some way – moms, dads, grandparents – you all reached out to Jeremy and his little son Zac with your heartfelt wishes of love and support.
We wanted to find out how Jeremy and Zac have been doing. Jeremy tells us… and he also has a very special message of thanks to each and every one of you who have supported him and little Zac:
Jeremy’s Message
The journey has been tough both on my son and me as we slowly and painfully realised that Mommy isn’t coming back.
Little Zac often calls out Mommy as he enters the room and immediately goes and kisses the photo of Mommy. I tell him that Daddy misses Mommy too then he will hug me, kiss me and wipe my tears away.
For me, I now sort of accept the reality that she isn’t coming back. But life for me has never been easy since she left as I missed her every minute.
Even when Zac and I are enjoying ourselves, I always have that moment when I wish that she is enjoying this with us. I refrain myself from sharing my grieve to people around me as I felt it will imposed on them. At times i have to take sleeping pills to help me sleep thru the sadness.
I often confine myself to my hideout at Downtown East Starbucks where I stare blankly with my earphones on, sipping on my tea, and at times I will start to tear.
Work has always kept me busy but still I feel sad as we often messaged one another during working hours. Everyday I looked forward to going back home with her receiving me at the door. I often go back home straight from work. My life always revolved around her. She was everything to me.
Recently, I reluctantly had to place Zac in childcare as my parents are quite elderly and I know they can’t cope with him as he is in his naughty twos. Unfortunately he came down with HFMD just after his third day there. He has recovered since and will go back to childcare next month.
A wife’s wish and a husband’s gratitude
As mentioned in the first theAsianparent article, my wife wanted to donate her belongings to charity. But I decided to donate my precious Star Wars memorabilia which I have collected since I was young and keep her belongings for precious memories instead.
Friends from 501st Singapore Garrison, Cathar Base Singapura – Rebel Legion,
starwars.sg Galactic Senate, have helped me in all the administrative and logistic works to setup the Fundraising event “In Loving Memory of Camella Fong Chia Mee” at STGCC 2017 MBS Convention Centre.
Beneficiary is to KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital Health Fund because every Woman and Child deserves good health.
Beautiful!
Touching moments at the event
James C. Mulligan, a Renowned and Talented Disney Artist who read and was deeply touched by our story, presented his lovely piece of art to me. Deeply appreciate his loving and kind gesture. I am extremely touched. Thank you so much!
A kind man whose name I didn’t get read my story and was touched by it. He came with a $1000 note and bought my items.
But what really touched me was that he asked which items were my favourite. He then bought them and presented them back to me and told me never to sell them, and keep them for my son. My tears kept dripping! Thank you so much for your kind gesture!
People who came asking if I am Jeremy, told me they read about my story and came here just to make a donation without purchasing anything. Thank you for your kind donations. And also to those who donated their toys for the fundraising. Fellow Collectors who gave me hugs as they know how difficult it is for me.
501st Singapore Garrison friends who presented me with a a nicely done up E-11 Blaster, patches, cards, 501st 20th anniversary t-shirt and a 501st Cap. It will be an inspiration for me to complete my armour and join them for Charitable events. Really appreciate!
KKH friends who have personally donated to my fundraising. I am so grateful for your kind gesture!
Mini Stormtrooper, who so lovingly took care of my son when I was focusing on the fundraising. Thank you.
Friends who helped transport my collection to MBS, and also Suhaimi for helping out in the pricing – super thanks to you.
My friends, Rianne and Karthik who volunteered to help me at the fundraising event. Without you, I couldn’t have done it. Thank you very much!
Friends from the Navy who came to donate and support my fundraising. Thank you so so much!
Friends, relatives and family who came to donate and support me. And also gave me back the items and told me to safe keep them – my gratitude to you all.
Everyone who helped spread my post to reach out to as many as people as possible – thank you.
Thank you so much for all the love and support from 501st Singapore Garrison, Cathar Base Singapura – Rebel Legion, starwars.sg Galactic Senate, Staff of KKH, Media, Donors, Colleagues, Friends from the Navy, Friends, Relatives and Family. Words can’t describe how appreciative and grateful Camella Fong and I are.
I am truly, deeply touched and grateful for all these kind gestures. Star Wars has always been very special to me and even more so now.
My darling Camella…
Our happiness came to a halt since you left. A day without you is like years without light. Every day seems gloomy. Although we continue to live our daily lives, we are missing you every minute, our hearts will always be half filled.
Today, 21st September, is the 4th month since you left us. We miss you our dearest! Please come visit us when you can..
Next, I will complete our project ‘Life-sized R2-D2’ which we started when we knew we can no longer have another child together. We both love Star Wars and the objective of this project is to make it as interactive as possible to accompany Zac. Now I will rename it ‘R2-CF’ in memory of you, my dearest.
Lastly, the most difficult promise I made to you which is to live happy with Zac, taking good care of one another and carry on with our lives…
I will keep this promise, my love, always.
Republished with permission from: theAsianParent Singapore
