My 3rd uncle died 3 weeks ago. He was 67.

He was a good man, with a loud booming voice and his trademark crew cut. He was usually thrifty but generous when it was necessary. Mum said that he and my aunt were so poor that they had to pawn their wedding rings, just to buy a hot water bottle for their baby son. That would've been kinda funny, in a satirical manner(trust me, I find LOADS of things funny.), if it weren't so sad.

He sold chickens in a wet market in Serangoon. Him, and my 3rd sunt. They were a couple who did everything together. They went for morning walks. They worked till 5pm everyday. They went shopping together. In other words, they were inseperable.

He used to tease me about being chubby when I was little. My annoyance only made him laugh. He watched us grow up, often commenting that I look like a grown-up even though I'm a teenager.

Once, when I was about 7, I showed him a loosened tooth in my mouth. He actually stuck his finger in and gave it a push. It fell off. I squealed like a stuck pig. Later, we found the tooth in his shirt pocket.

We cried with him when he sent his son, Andy to the airport 7 years 9 years ago. Okay,so I didn't cry. I was at the age during which small children find crying adults amusing. Feel kinda stupid about it now...he used to want to visit us at home, but Mum would always decline due to the cluttered situation at home. Lame excuse, really.

I think he died a lucky man. His kids are all grown up..Roy, 38, happily married to Vivian; Benny, 35, happily married to YenLing; Andy, 29, attached to Genevieve. They couldn't be more different from one another. Roy and Benny and sorta stocky-looking, with round faces, kinda like Tweedle-dee and Tweedle-dum from Alice in Wonderland. Andy's tall and muscular, with a face that won't look out of place on television. But they all have my uncle's kind eyes. The sort that crinkle at the ends when they smile...the sort that makes you comfortable and warm inside. He has two adorable grandaughters. He has a whole bunch of nephews, nieces, sister-in-laws and brother-in-laws that love and respect him, who will look out for his wife and kids. Yep, he's a lucky man.

I suddenly miss my uncle loads.