A plaque for Mom's grave during Qing Ming visit

I visited mum's grave today with family to observe Qing Ming. For this visit, I came with a plaque that I DIY from material that hopefully can survive the elements of hot sun and rains. I also took along some fertilizer to spread on the two potted plants; one plant is thriving while the other one does not seem to be able to survive for long. Hopefully, this sick plant can recover eventually. I was pleasantly surprised to see how good a fit the plaque goes into the narrow space at the bottom left hand area as I had made the plaque without knowing for sure where it can find a good resting place. Anyway, there is a melancholy yet pleasant mandarin song which I would like to share with visitors. The words of this poem by the poet Christina Rosetti (The poem followed the youtube video) was translated into mandarin by a famous Chinese poet who studied at Cambridge during the early part of the 20th century and this was in turn used to make into a song by a gifted Taiwanese song writer. This song's name is simply "Song" graced a Taiwanese movie from the 1970s and it was sung by the then young actress-Slyvia Chang who not only acted and sang in a long career but later went on to an illustrious period as a versatile and highly successful film maker.

When I am dead
Christina Rossetti

When I am dead, my dearest,
Sing no sad songs for me:
Plant thou no roses at my head,
Nor shady cypress tree:
Be the green grass above me
With showers and dewdrops wet;
And if thou wilt, remember,
And if thou wilt, forget.

I shall not see the shadows,
I shall not feel the rain;
I shall not hear the nightingale
Sing on, as if in pain;
And dreaming through the twilight
That doth not rise nor set,
Haply I may remember,
And haply may forget.

A virtual memorial dedicated to Mdm Kwan Kim Kee

It has been almost ten years since mom passed away. It was a wretched thing to see someone you loved and cherished succumbed to breast cancer and suffering pains and wasting away until death which one do not welcome was later accepted as a means of final release from her bodily and psychological pains. I still think of mom from time to time and well remember the sad song which we sung during her wake. I found a soulful rendition of this song by Michelle Lea and would like to share it with visitors to this site; the lyric as well as the music video from youtube is included below. Mom, we still think of you and we thank you for all your love and care and I at least feel so unworthy of your life long affections and sacrifices to which I gave so little in return.

Can the circle be unbroken?

I was standing by the window

On one cold and cloudy day

And I saw the hearse come rolling

For to carry my mother away

Can the circle be unbroken

By and by Lord, by and by

There's a better home awaiting

In the sky Lord, in the sky

Lord, I told the undertaker

"Undertaker, please drive slow

For this body you are hauling

Lord, I hate to see her go"

Can the circle be unbroken

By and by Lord, by and by

There's a better home awaiting

In the sky Lord, in the sky

I followed close behind her

Tried to hold up and be brave

But I could not hide my sorrow

When they laid her in the grave

Can the circle be unbroken

By and by Lord, by and by

There's a better home awaiting

In the sky Lord, in the sky

Went back home Lord, my home was lonesome

Miss my mother she was gone

All my brothers sisters crying

What a home, so sad and lone

Can the circle be unbroken

By and by Lord, by and by

There's a better home awaiting

In the sky Lord, in the sky.