A sister remembers - by Karen Lam
A closed chapter: Ian, my beloved brother
I remember when Ian was little, I always put him under my wings. We would watch tv together, play together. Sometimes i would bring him out if I went out with friends. I would teach him things, even tell him about fashion, clothes or health. We formed a bond, we kept no secrets from each other. Once when I was very ill, Ian piggybacked me and rush out to the main road and get a cab to hospital. Eventually he grew his own wings and with his own opinions, differences submerged and a gap start to fall in. The 'gap' lasted for 5 years (2000 to 2005) where we cut each other off and stopped speaking.
In Dec 2005, mom called and told me Ian was diagnosed with cancer. For the 1st time, I felt fear and uncertainty of the future; and once again feeling love and warmth at the thought of seeing him. I'm never able to pick up from where we left off. Not because we have no love but because we have no more time.
If I could live this chapter all over again, I would enjoy every moment of the journey and taste it all again; the laughter, the tears, the bitterness and the sweetness. If there's anything Ian has taught me, it's that LOVE NEVER FORGETS!
From his sister, Karen