I first met Adeline and her siblings in 1966 when I visited Penang and stayed at her parents' home. As she was around nine years old, I spoke mainly to her dad, Dr. Siang Yeow, my cousin, and to his wife Jean. 

During my visit to London in 1994, we met again, this time at the Sunday service of her Presbyterian Church and thereafter, briefly at her home. Before we parted, I invited her family to visit my family in San Jose, California.

In early 2020 she informed me that she and Anthony would like to visit California. We quickly made elaborate plans to go to several popular tourist sites in our State and in Nevada. A nature lover, she also expressed her desire to spend some time in the stunning Yosemite National Park with Anthony.

Incidentally, when Adeline and Anthony had to cancel their trip, she made this insightful remark on April 24, 2020, "This week we would have been staying with you. How ironic! It makes me realize that what man plans fervently and meticulously, God unplans and rips to shreds! God had other plans for us."

Regrettably, because of both the unforeseen Covid-19 pandemic and her health predicament, they were unable to visit us and our lovely state. I told her, "God willing when things return to normalcy, we shall meet again, either here in CA or in the UK." Apparently, God has the best plan for Adeline's life. As her fruitful time on our temporal and sin-filled earth was up, God graciously transported her to His glorious, perfect, and eternal home.

Thank God, although we will never meet in this unpredictable world again, we will see her, and other believers, sooner or later, in the sweet by and by and on that beautiful shore call Heaven. As we go through life's uncertain and fleeting days may God, "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom" Psalm 90:12. I am sure Adeline will concur with these precious words.

Rev Dr Peter Tow