The Phantom Mourns...

Today, the Phantom mourns over the demise of his Godfather, Uncle Paul (the eldest brother of his mom) and his Aunt Maria (his Uncle Paul's wife). And no, they did not pass away in an accident.. they passed on with ripe old age.. just 2 days apart (yes, they were the ones featured in Sunday Times on 18 Dec 2005).

Uncle Paul was a faithful servant of the Lord. He spent his entire life serving the Church without any complains, without any gains nor expectations. Even while limping on his walking stick, he remains dedicated to the serving of the Church and its community.

He was a simple man... an ordinary man with flaws... but I admire him in many ways... I admire how he loved Aunt Maria... how he single-handed raised his eleven children and raised them well... I admire how he always stands up, faced his flaws and strive to overcome his flaws to become a better man which he suceeded... I admire how he believed in himself despite how small the people around him made him feel...

Uncle Paul is the kind of man that will never show his acts of graciousness or nobleness in public.. he does not seek recognition.. as such, he's often misjudged, misunderstood and neglected... but whenever he's needed, he's always the first to stand in line... he's always taking the back seat but in actual fact, he's the one bearing all the load... yet, he didn't complain... he's just happy to know that his loved ones are happy, provided for, etc... The sacrifices that he had made, often goes un-noticed... often uncredited... but he continues to give... holding nothing back...

Uncle Paul is a selfless person that gives and gives... he became a living example to many of us (if this statement seems over-rated, well, he is an example to me, at least)... his values, his deeds of kindness and his selflessness is what I admire most about him...

Today, at his funeral, I'm glad that he can finally rise above the crowd and be honoured for what he deserves... the sheer numbers of people showing up to pay their last respects were a living testament of what a great man he is... 12 Priests honoured him in a High Mass... a wholesome choir sang hymns... hundreds of people, whose lives he had touched, showed up to mourn for him... even the cleaner wept sorrowfully over the loss of Uncle Paul...

I am very proud of him... I share the times where he was so lonely... when the whole world (including his closest kins) doubted this man behind all the greatness that he holds in his heart... he never forsake THAT greatness despite everything...

As I walked up his coffin with my mom to lay my mourning arm-tag with the flowers, I feel pround to have a god-pa like Uncle Paul... He may not be a perfect man... but he's definitely a GOOD MAN...

The song and lyrics below, is specially dedicated to my God-Pa, Uncle Paul. To hear the music, pls refresh page CLICK HERE and you may sing along.


Wind Beneath My Wings...

It must have been cold there in my shadow
To never have sunlight on your face
You were content to let me shine, that's your way
You always walked a step behind

So I was the one with all the glory
While you were the one with all the strain
A beautiful face without a name for so long
A beautiful smile to hide the pain

Did you ever know that you're my hero
And everything I would like to be?
I can fly higher than an eagle
For you are the wind beneath my wings

It might have appeared to go unnoticed
But I've got it all here in my heart
I want you to know I know the truth
Of course I know it
I would be nothing without you

Did you ever know that you're my hero?
You're everything I wish I could be
I could fly higher than an eagle
For you are the wind beneath my wings
'Cause you are the wind beneath my wings