Mauricio Soliano

I had not intended to write in my blog about my Uncle Maurice.  Recently, GG asked me if I would and I didn't have a real answer and then I forgot all about it.

Today is his birthday and I remember all the times he called me so early in the morning to wish me for my birthday.  It was his trademark.  I wasn't the only one he would call as soon as he finished his morning prayers.  So many of us know this about him.  And if we didn't pick up, he'd call again.  Maybe I should start this tradition with my own nieces and nephews!

There are so many things that makes him very special to me.  

The best one would be that when I was in Singapore in 1992 for Eric's heart operation, he did something so selfless that inspired me tremendously.  

I had spent a night in my cousin's place and, in the morning, he asked me how I would go to the Gleneagles hospital.  I told him I'd take a cab.  He told me that there was a direct bus which will stop just outside the hospital and I just nodded my head.  I wasn't in the right frame of mind to be thinking of too many things.  But when I was ready to leave, he was also all dressed up and he said he'd show me the bus station and which bus to take.  I declined as I had decided to take a cab but he was insistent.  Then when the bus arrived, he boarded the bus with me and sat by my side.  When we reached the hospital, we got down and although we didn't say much during the ride, I felt comforted by his presence.  I thought he was going to follow me into the hospital but he only wanted to accompany me on the bus.  Then he crossed the road and took another bus back to Tanglin Halt.  

At that time, I didn't really think much of it all but much later when everything began to settle in my life, I looked back and marvelled at his gesture of love and compassion, not in words but in action.  

Unknowingly, he had inspired me to do just that bit more for other people.  I haven't always been able to do it but I have always given it my best when I could.

He nagged.  Oh yes, he was famous for it!  He always had the same story of Brand's essence of chicken for me and how I should take it.  Always he would threaten that he would force me to drink it and I would laugh about it.  In return, I'd nag him about his smoking and he would laugh back. 

I think he had an anecdote with every nephew or niece.  So, we will all carry with us a small history with him.  In this way, he lives on in our minds and hearts.

He always told me that I looked like my mother.  It always made me smile.  

He used to send smses.  He used to call a lot.  Especially when covid-19 hit Singapore, he called me several times to ask me to visit and I told him I was not yet ready because I didn't want to go out unnecessarily.  He never got angry when I didn't go.  To me, this is love.  When you keep saying "no" and the person just accepts and understands.

Often, I forget that he is gone because I hadn't seen him in so long but today, I remember that he has died.  It makes me sad but I know he is now free from any earthly suffering and pain.  

I write this so I will remember if I happen to forget all this in the future.  I write this because someone might smile because they, too, have had special moments with Uncle Maurice.

In my mind, this is how he always looks. I can still hear his voice.  May he rest in peace.