嘉越．飛越

The old saying, “You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone,” popped into my head after I finished Nick Duerden’s “The Smallest Things”. This heartfelt memoir reflects on the quiet yet profound bonds of family. Relationships blossom not through grand gestures, but through small, loving moments. Strong family ties are built on simple efforts like frequent visits, shared meals, phone calls, or just being present. It’s not about extravagant vacations or lavish celebrations, but those daily, ordinary acts that join our hearts together.

Reading this book stirred deep emotions in me. Two months ago, my uncle passed away suddenly, leaving my whole family in shock and grief. The realization that we could never speak to him again was devastating. At his funeral, my cousins and I prepared a photo slideshow, capturing his joyful smile during family gatherings like Chinese New Year, birthdays, weddings, boat trips, baby showers…It was truly a bittersweet moment. Though my eyes were swollen with tears, I found solace, knowing that we had shared so many happy moments with my uncle.

This engaging memoir may serve as a gentle yet powerful reminder to cherish our loved ones before it’s too late. So why not pick up the phone, call someone you love and simply ask “How are you?”.