Dr. Tan Tek Seng

DAILY REFLECTION

6 March 2026

“Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.”  
Proverbs‬ ‭17‬:‭6‬ ‭

For the older generation, witnessing the growth of the next is a profound blessing and a powerful sign of life’s continuity. It reflects God’s grace—allowing their lives, values, and faith to extend far beyond their own years.

My wife and I have just returned from spending two days with my second sister’s family at the funeral parlour in Johor Bahru. As we reflected on the passing of my brother-in-law on 3 March 2026 at the age of 88, leaving behind four children, thirteen grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren, today’s verse spoke to my heart in a very personal way.

His life was not measured merely by the number of years he lived, but by the rich fruit of the family he nurtured. Each grandchild and great-grandchild is a living crown—an enduring testimony to his influence, wisdom, and care. They reflect the pride his children and grandchildren surely felt in having him as their father and grandfather, and the quiet joy he must have experienced watching his family grow and flourish.

Though he is no longer physically present, his legacy continues to shine through the love, faith, and values he passed down through the generations. While he has departed from this earthly life, his legacy lives on in every child, grandchild, and great-grandchild. His life becomes a testimony of God’s grace across generations.

Proverbs 17:6 reminds us that a well-lived life is not defined only by personal achievements, but by the generations we nurture and influence. My brother-in-law’s “crown” is the vibrant family he helped build—a crown of joy, memory, and lasting impact.

"As a well-spent day brings happy sleep, so life well used brings happy death."