We got to know KL during our Day Care session at the Palliative Care Unit Ward, Selayang Hospital. KL had always wanted to go to the seaside, so we took her to Port Dickson. I will never forget that beautiful smile of hers as she looked at the sea.

She was again admitted to the PCU Ward in March and we started our “Sitting with KL” sessions a couple of weeks after that.

My deep and sincere gratitude to all my fellow Kasih Hospice Day Care volunteers who were so committed to accompanying and sitting with KL till the very end of her journey. I know KL would want me to convey her deep appreciation to each and everyone of you again and again.

She was one of the most beautiful beings and souls whom I had the honor to meet and spent some time with — she was simple and pure at heart and yet always so generous with her kindness and love for others around her. Her quiet strength and determination were something I would always admire and remember.

When I left her that Monday evening (the last sitting with KL), she looked really, really peaceful. When I touched her to bid goodbye, her hands were cold, and I thought to myself, it would be Wesak Day the next day.

And KL passed on in the early hours of Wesak  Day in her sleep. Farewell KL.

Mrs. M was the primary caretaker of her 60-year-old husband with Advanced Colon Cancer, and they were an elderly couple living alone in Petaling Jaya. Mrs. M shared how being an end-of-life care patient during the Covid-19 pandemic is one of the most frightening things a carer can experience.

“There are fears of going to the Covid hospital, fears that nobody would answer my questions, fears of facing emergencies alone, fears of dying alone, fears of the actual process of dying itself. Help is not at hand as it’s MCO (Movement Control Order) time, and we didn’t know what was going to happen day by day.”

Luckily Kasih Hospice had made available an Oxygen Concentrator that enabled Mr M to leave the hospital and spend his final days at home where he preferred to be. Our hospice’s Senior Palliative Doctor, Dr. Vanitha, handled Mrs M’s case via a combination of both frequent teleconferencing and supportive home visits in full PPE.

One morning, Mrs M called up Dr. Vanitha in tears to share her foreboding feeling that Mr. M was going to pass away soon. Our doctor assured her that Mr. M was comfortable and that the family had done everything they could. Mrs M read aloud the poems that Mr. M had written for his family over the years.

As Mr M was taking his last breath, Mrs M managed to videocall her children, and they witnessed Mr. M’s passing, together as a family.

We would like to introduce our hero, Tuti, who works as a home helper in Malaysia. Tuti came to know about Kasih Hospice 4 years ago. Even at that time, her generosity and spirit compelled her to donate RM 10 to our cause. She has since been annually making contributions of RM 10 to RM 20 to Kasih from her savings.

This year when Tuti found out about our “Shave for Palliative Care” campaign, she immediately made a pledge of RM 500, which she dedicated to the mother of her employee as well as to all the Covid patients in Malaysia.

Her compassion and nobility bought tears to our eyes. To us, this donation is one of the most valuable gifts we received; because we know what it takes – as any witness will.

The true cost of a single dollar differs from person to person. We know that Tuti went without, so that others would not have to. Tuti wanted to give up the things she thought she didn’t need, so that those who need them more than her might benefit.

Let us fold our palms for Tuti, who inspires and humbles us, and who is a Great Teacher on the true art of compassion, nobility, and faith in humanity.

Thank you for being an example to us all.