Today is January 19, 2025. We just celebrated my mom’s 65th birthday. Honestly, I cannot recall celebrating her birthday much in the past. My first memory of celebrating it was 12 years ago, in 2013, when I returned from Melbourne. That celebration felt like a homecoming for me, and I have been grateful ever since for all she has done. Before that, we never truly celebrated her birthdays—it was always about receiving blessings from her instead.
Recently, I have started celebrating birthdays more intentionally. This week alone, I celebrated four birthdays, starting on January 16 with my niece Elisa’s birthday. We had our regular Thursday Bible study and celebrated for her. What kids need is really simple. My son, Eann, who is her cousin and best friend in class, secretly gave her some chocolate as a present. Elisa was thrilled and carried that joy with her the entire day.
This reminded me that life’s special moments often come from the simplest gestures. A child’s excitement over a piece of chocolate is a miracle in itself—a reminder that joy does not need to be complicated.
The next day, January 17, was my sister-in-law Wendy’s birthday. I was on my way to Kuala Lumpur and decided to send her a birthday message. Since I was not driving, I had time to connect with her. That conversation made me reflect—where had the years gone? Why had I not tried to know her better before? To my surprise, I discovered how similar our thoughts were. I had always assumed her character was like my wife’s, but they are entirely different. What a miracle!
This made me realize the importance of truly knowing people. Even in the same family, no two people are alike. Each person is a miracle—a unique story waiting to be uncovered.
On January 18, we celebrated Alijah’s first birthday. After the Every Nation Convergence 2025, we declined some dinner invitations and rushed back to Johor Bahru. Samuel, a devoted father, went out to get Baskin Robbins and brought Alijah to our dinner place. I asked, “What are you doing? Your son looks like he just woke up.” Samuel replied, “I wanted to celebrate his birthday with him.”
His response touched my heart. Fatherhood, in that moment, felt like watching a candle being lit—bright and warm, yet tender and precious. I quickly took my camera to capture that moment, knowing it would be cherished for years. Simple yet meaningful moments like these create lasting memories.
Reunion: A Celebration of Miracles
Today, we celebrated my mom’s birthday, but I kept thinking about the Chinese reunion dinner project I was asked to handle. About three weeks ago, my aunt asked if I could take charge of this year’s reunion dinner. I accepted, not because I was free, but because I felt honored she asked. I documented the process in another article, but some key questions she posed stuck with me:
- Is there a theme for this year’s reunion?
- Could I share the meaning of reunion during the dinner?
The theme became clear as I prepared—gathering the name list, organizing a potluck, and coordinating for everyone to wear matching shirts. This year’s theme is “Miracles.”
There are two types of people in the world: those who believe everything in life is a miracle and those who do not. Which type lives a happier, more fulfilled life? The answer is simple. When we see life as a series of miracles, we find joy in every moment, every connection, and every breath.
Reunion as a Living Miracle
In many families, things change after the grandparents pass away. For example, I lost my grandfather when I was about five or six years old. My grandmother passed away two years ago, in 2023. That year, our so-called reunion was her funeral. 2024 was our first reunion dinner without her.
From 2021 to 2023, we missed three reunion dinners. The reasons were valid—pandemic restrictions and lockdowns. Yet, I wondered—if we had known that 2020 would be our last reunion dinner with my grandmother, or if we could go back, what would we have done differently? Would we have valued that moment more?
Life’s greatest blessing is its uncertainty. Just imagine yourself preparing for an important moment in your life—your wedding day, the birth of your child, or even an examination. Those are the significant milestones we know in advance, and often, we spend sleepless nights as the day approaches. Now imagine if you knew the exact day of your death. Would it not be a restless countdown, with each passing day heavier than the last?
The fact that we do not know gives us the freedom to live fully and appreciate the present.
Living mindfully means appreciating the moments between our first and last breaths. Like a candle’s flame, each moment is fleeting but has the power to light up the lives around us.
Building the Loh Legacy
This is why I took on the challenge of organizing the reunion dinner. It is more than just a meal; it holds deeper meaning. When my grandmother was alive, she was the glue that held us together. She looked forward to these gatherings and found joy in seeing her family united. But now, without her, what is the meaning of reunion?
Do we believe in God? Do we believe in eternal life? If so, do we believe our loved ones are watching? If the answer is yes, then there is more to reunion than just a ritual.
In Matthew 1:17, the Bible mentions 14 generations from Abraham to David, 14 generations from David to the exile, and 14 generations from the exile to the Messiah. This is not just a random number—it is a sign of how God works through history to fulfill His promises. Could it also be a reminder to reflect on the legacy we leave behind?
My grandmother represents the first generation I know. My parents are the second, I am the third, and my children are the fourth. But what about the generations before her? I want my children to know their roots—to remember my grandmother and the legacy she left behind.
Why do we read the Bible and study Abraham? Though we never met him, his story teaches us lessons. Similarly, documenting our family history and building a legacy can impact generations to come.
My goal is to create a “Loh Legacy” that spans 14 generations. Being part of this family is a miracle, and I see this reunion dinner as a step toward something greater—something beyond myself.
Opportunities to Create Miracles
Before I end, let me share one last thought. President Abraham Lincoln is celebrated for abolishing slavery, but why did only he take a stand when so many others knew it was wrong? Greatness lies in recognizing opportunities to make a difference and acting on them.
Each of us has the chance to create miracles in our daily lives. What unique purpose can we fulfill that no one else can? For me, it is the Loh Legacy—living with purpose and faith that nothing in life is accidental.
Leave a Reply