Kelvin on the left with Charlotte. He was 28 in this picture, evidently crashing the first months of the new academic year.
Kel was one of the friends I never had enough opportunity to go out with. And when I look back now, those 3 times when we did sit down and enjoy ourselves at Wala-wala had left a mark in me so deep, it can't be removed nor can they be changed now that he's left. Nothing can change that fact and nothing can bring back that smile that I distinctly remember.
It doesn't take anything for any self-respecting person to feel the loss. Some may say, "But you didn't know him well, how could you possibly be so emotive?"
And I'd reply them by saying this, "Where is the compassion that lies within that inner shell you call your soul?"
And as I entered the columbarium at the Garden of Remembrance, as I stepped into the chapel and into the wake, I had a sense of condolence which I yearnfully wanted to share. To those close to him, to his family dear to him, Kelvin's in a better place now. A place where there is no suffering, no pain, no tears.
He's grown a new body, free from the cancer that plagued him during the last few days of his life and he is growing strong. To his family, Charlotte, and all his close friends, be strong and don't mourn this loss because the Lord tells us to be strong in times of trial and tribulation.
It's funny to think of it now because it just seems like he's left a piece of himself in everyone who knew him- As a friend, a mentor, a guide, a teacher and to many, a brother.
As I got up from bed and found myself alone in the flat this morning, I paused to think if Heaven had a form of telegramming. Even though I didn't pause to contemplate the possibility of this, I assumed that anything was possible in Heaven; and I started saying, "Kel, I don't know if you get to receive voice messages up in Heaven but there's no harm trying so here goes..I have to say even though there were times we didn't get to explore much together, you would've been under the ranks of 'awesome friend' in my list. It's good to know that you're well now and many people are celebrating because you ARE in a better place. Well, I won't forget you that's for sure and I'll keep in touch. Sherwin."
And as I thought about it more, the bible verses I kept closest to heart and the ones that I truly remembered came to mind.
Phil 4:13- "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Psalms 23- "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of Death, I shall fear no evil. For my Lord, you are with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me."
Proverbs 3:5,6- "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. Lean not on your own understanding and He will make your paths straight."
I believed this verse would be reflected on by his family.
From James 1:2-
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, (verse 3) because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. (4) Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (5) If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all withou finding fault, and it will be given unto him. (6) But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind...(verse 12) Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him."
And from his blog, Kelvin posted his last words- dated November 19th 2005.
Living Hope
As the embodiment of the eternal life and the holding center of the universe, Christ is the only one who can be our real security. He alone is worthy of our hope. In him we find the only way to obtain the hope of stability for which we long, because in him we find eternal life with all of its power and transcendence. Christ with his divine, eternal life is not bound by time or space. His life is unlimited in its capacity; it is an indestructible and indissoluble life, and as such, it is not fleeting and not subject to man’s destructive acts.(3) Our only chance for obtaining real hope is found by our believing into Christ and receiving his eternal and indestructible life.This hope is a living hope and it hinges on the eternal life.(4) while we may view eternal life as something exalted and beyond the reach of mortal men, it is nonetheless obtainable. Eternal life is the divine, uncreated life of God. Such a lasting and real life has been made available to un in Christ and through what he has accomplished. As the Son of God, Jesus came to be life to man and to give man life in an abundant way.(5) in his work on the cross, Jesus Christ was crucified for our sins, shedding his blood to redeem us and reconcile us to God. Christ’s death, moreover, released his resurrection life. the power of his life could not be held by death. Instead if remaining in the grave, he arose, becoming the life giving spirit. (6) as such, he is now able to impart his eternal life into all those that believe into him.(7) his life is the resurrection life-the only life that is true and the only life that can withstand death and rises out of it victorious. Christ and his life are those things which death cannot conquer. They are the object of our hope.
Indestructible
“he who believes into the Son has eternal life.” by believing into Christ, we receive the life that is eternal and indestructible, and with this life we obtain a living hope. As the embodiment of the eternal life, Christ is the only one in whom we can truly hope. We can no longer hope in the things we find in this world, nor can we produce true hope out of our own strength or imagination. Hope is sure only when we place it in Jesus Christ. Unlike our own human life, his life is not fading but eternal. We find real and enduring hope when we believe into him and receive his life. then, and only then, will we know and possess the power of his indestructible life."
To your memory, my friend. Always remembered.
