Continue his legacy of kindness

Mission in life: Ewe Jin’s greatest joy was lifting others up with a kind word and that was why he wrote Sunday Starters.

May the spirit of this column live on, and may we all keep on building bridges, say sons

THE hallmark of Sunday Starters is the message that love overcomes fear, hatred and dissension. That theme reflects the writer of this column perfectly. In life, he would respond to any situation with love and great kindness.

Soo Ewe Jin passed away on Nov 17, 2016. To the two of us, his sons, he was an amazing father. To our mother, he was a beloved husband.

To everyone, he was a friend. To you, his readers, we like to think that he was a gentle voice that encouraged or cheered you when you needed it.

He considered every person more important than himself. He was drawn to those easily overlooked by others.

He considered everyone his neighbour, and everyone went to him confident that he would receive them with open arms – no matter their race, religion or position.

He rejoiced with those who rejoiced, and mourned with those who mourned.

He was generous with his time and money. He always went the extra mile to help those who needed a hand.

He enjoyed the simple things in life: taking time to smell the flowers, sitting by a stream, sharing a conversation over a cup of coffee.

In the past year, he faced the most difficult of trials in his final cancer journey. Despite this, he was a picture of contentment. He considered himself the most blessed man, surrounded by his loved ones.

Even in his condition, he still had time for his hobbies. He would sit down to his favourite movies, enjoy a slow day with a jigsaw puzzle, and go for outings to his favourite spots (Taman Aman and Ulu Yam, to name just a couple).

His greatest joy was lifting others up with a kind word. That was why he wrote this column for you every week.

You were more than just readers. He loved hearing from all of you. You became his community.

Some of you wrote to him with words of thanks. Others with hope and encouragement. Many shared their own troubles, or offered to share his.

You have all been a part of his journey, and we are so thankful for how you have enriched his life. You shared in his joy, and multiplied it.

By doing so, you did more than just read his column – you became part of the change he hoped to inspire in all Malaysians.

In a world where power and status hold sway, his way was quiet and humble.

Small acts of kindness, sharing words of encouragement, bringing light to dark places – he taught us that these were not small and insignificant acts, but the most important things that make us human.

When we bear others’ burdens, when we take time to know someone for who they are and not for what they can offer us, when we forgive each other – we help shape our world for the better.

This is the last instalment of Sunday Starters, but the spirit of the column and what Soo Ewe Jin lived for continues in all of us.

He was a columnist for the better part of a decade, and he considered it a great privilege to have his voice heard by all of you. We know that he is grateful for how you have listened.

We are not the writer that he was, but we think we know what he would say as a final note. Go out there, be kind and compassionate to one another – for love conquers all.

Timothy and Kevin Soo will miss their father deeply, and are grateful for all the times he brought them swimming and cycling as kids.