Hannah's Sharing

Hi, my name is Hannah Woo and I am Amii and Bruce’s goddaughter. Ever since I was small, my godparents have treasured me and brought me on many memorable trips to their holiday house in Shenzhen. Looking back, it’s definitely one of my core memories. (You can read more about that on pp.92-95 of the book)

Unexpected Tears

The day I got the call that my godfather had passed away in his sleep, I was shocked: “This must be a joke, right? I haven’t gotten my chance to say goodbye yet…” I hid in my room for a good minute or two, as I had to let all my tears fall out before my family and I rushed over to my godparents’ house to bid him goodbye.

Then again, I must emphasise I’m not the type that likes to show my emotions out in public… you probably won’t see me shed tears, even at a funeral. But on the night of my godfather’s birthday dinner, a few months after his passing, I cried in front of a crowd when they played a video of him, as I had not heard his voice in months. It was uncontrollable, I had really missed him so much.

Drawing Closer to God

I started to fear death and loss after my godfather’s passing. However, as time passed, I came to realise that death is really a means for God to take away suffering on earth. Isaiah 57:1-2 says, “Good people pass away; the godly often die before their time. But no one seems to care or wonder why. No one seems to understand that God is protecting them from the evil to come. For those who follow godly paths will rest in peace when they die.”

Recently, my social media algorithm has been so full of Christian-related content. That is how I came across this video of a man explaining death and introducing this Bible verse. And now, while writing this blog, I have had a sudden brainwave that the Bible verse would be so applicable to this story of mine.

Despite all the pain, the grief, and the devastation, I thank God for this experience, this opportunity to be drawn closer to Him. I now rely on Him more than I did before.

Shocker Butterfly Moments

Personally, I don’t think butterflies remind me of our dead loved ones, like my godfather per se. I think what really reminds me of him is golf, which recently I have decided to pick up, not only for leisure but also to commemorate the memory of who he was in his prime.

Instead, butterflies remind me of my godmother, Amii. Every time I see a butterfly in public, she’s the first one that pops up into my mind.

But truly, one moment that was a huge shocker to me was when our Filipino helper came back from her homeland this past summer… and with her was a painting that her niece had made for me. Guess what it was? A half of a butterfly.

And then, on the day of my birthday, a good friend gifted me a butterfly necklace. Initially, I didn’t connect the dots, because butterfly jewellery was such a popular trend and my friend didn’t know how much this symbol meant to our family. But the moment my godmother saw the necklace I was wearing, she started to hint that it may be another "coincidence" that I should count towards my butterfly story.

These collective moments inflicted the idea: “This is my butterfly story. This I must write in my butterfly story.” And so, here I am, writing it out for you to read.

May all our loved ones rest easy in heaven with our beloved Father.

I love you, godmom and goddad <3

Yours truly,

Hannah Woo