Eulogy for Grace Lin

Dai Weiqing

Dear Grace’s Husband, Michael, Brother Lin Jian and other family members, friends and guests,

I would like to express my deepest condolence over the death of Grace at this mourning time.

Grace, today we stand here to memorialize you, our close friend, suddenly passed away.  We will heartily miss you and your short but energetic and meaningful life.

I am feeling terribly sad and still confused at this moment, because I even receive the email you sent to me and many other friends on May 20 when I was taking vacation in Shanghai.  It is about pictured stories on Tibetan life and it is full of lovely and interesting information.  I can’t believe that sometimes the human being is so fragile and so vulnerable that only one day later, you who love life so much and extremely enthusiastic and brought us happiness countless times suddenly left us and left this world forever. 

We know each other that can track back to fall of 1999 when I was transferred from Steinway to Bayside library.  At that time, besides you, there were also a few Chinese coworkers, such as Liu Hong and Janice Chen.  With your and other staff’s help, I was quickly familiar with new working place.  We often went to different country style restaurants and spent very happy times even though I stayed Bayside only  for a few months.  Because of that, we established long term of friendship.  Additionally, we occasionally worked together on Sunday services.  You always came early and set up the desk to be ready for customer service, and usually took the desk all the times.  You never hesitated to offer help whenever it needed.

What specifically I want to mention here is that these beautiful and interesting emails you sent or forwarded to me and many other colleges and friends.  They are so precious and enjoyable for us who now staying in USA but still desire to get more information on our native country’s developments.  You played unreplacible role for carrying over Chinese Culture and traditions among us. 

Until today, I feel that nothing changes if we talk about your personality after so many years.  You, walk a little fast, speak a little louder, handle things a little rush,  but anybody who knows you would immediately find you are so nice, kind and open-mind and easy to become a good friend. 

I strongly think that you have many plans and expectations are not completed because you left went to heaven too fast, too young and too earlier.  I know, we stand here today, any words are impossible to describe how great your family lost and how sad all of us are feeling now.  However, the best way to memorize you is to keep these beautiful and happy moments we spend together in our heart and continue to carry over your great but unfinished legacy.  You will be missed and cherished eternally. 

God bless you, and God bless your family.

(Mr. Dai Weiqing is the manager of Jackson Heights Library, Queens Library)