The last gift————Mourning ceremony for Mr. Cui Zengqi

The last gift————Mourning ceremony for Mr. Cui Zengqi Editor: The memorial ceremony for Mr. Cui Zengqi was co-sponsored by the Arizona Overseas Chinese Federation and the Hualian Federation of China, and the Chinese Embassy in Los Angeles...

Editor: Mr. Cui Zengqi’s memorial ceremony was co-sponsored by the Arizona Overseas Chinese Federation and the Overseas Chinese Federation. The consul of the Chinese Embassy in Los Angeles made a condolence call. U.S. Senator John McCain issued a special contribution letter to Mr. Cui, inspiring his tireless service to everyone in the community. At the memorial site, I saw many overseas Chinese leaders and community leaders, and what was even more touching were the familiar strangers in the hall. Some of them have only met Mr. Cui once or several times, and some even only through phone calls. But they all took special leave that day to see off their husband. I hope that through this article we will remember our husband, complete his unfinished work, and inherit his immortal spirit.

> Cui Zengqi’s memorial service

On April 7, 2016, the sky in Phoenix, USA, changed from the usual clear sky to a sudden cold wind and continuous rain. The mood of Chinese friends in Arizona also fell to the lowest point like this weather. With reluctance, everyone came to Phoenix Evergreen Cemetery to bid farewell to the overseas Chinese leader Mr. Cui Zengqi. Cui Zengqi is currently the vice-president of the Overseas Chinese Federation of Greater Phoenix City, advisor to the Senior Citizens Association, and principal of the Alberta Chinese School. In the early morning of April 2, 2016, Mr. Cui, who had been fighting cancer for nearly 20 years, passed away due to ineffective treatment. Four days before Mr. Cui passed away, I received his last email, which was about the submission for the 2016 U.S. National Day Youth Painting Competition. This news has not been in the news for two days, and I can’t believe the news that Mr. Cui has left. He was so cheerful and in such good health, how could he die of illness so quickly? A friend said that he had cancer. He had been fighting cancer for nearly 20 years. He often went to the community for meetings and work after receiving chemotherapy in the hospital. I can't relate at all to this strong and cheerful Mr. Cui, who has been singing and dancing in the Senior Citizens Association, serving as the principal of Feini Chinese School, organizing various activities in the Overseas Chinese Federation, traveling around, and often writing articles for many years, and a cancer patient who often undergoes chemotherapy. In my mind, he is not only a healthy old man, he is even mentally and physically healthier than the average old man. How come those cancer patients on TV who have undergone chemotherapy are so energetic and happy?

> Cui Zengqi's handwriting. Mr. Cui's resume was played in the memorial hall, "The ambition of life: life is not to live long, but to live wonderfully, live fully, and live valuable." Mr. Cui's memorial service was held on Thursday, and the Chinese friend sitting next to me also took time off to attend. I asked her about her relationship with Mr. Cui, and she said that she was also a cancer patient. All the rest was left unsaid, and our communication ceased to be superficial. A Chinese friend from Chandler took the stage. She said that she had just moved to Phoenix and wanted to find a place for her parents to live for the elderly. At that time, someone suggested that she contact Mr. Cui. Mr. Cui patiently explained the inquiries from strangers and welcomed them to visit the Kang Le Building. Cui Lao personally took them to see the life of the elderly there. This made their family feel particularly warm. I originally wanted to send a small gift to express my gratitude. Unexpectedly, when I heard the news of Mr. Cui's death, I lost my last chance. A local Chinese friend who is still in China also specially asked a friend to come to the scene on his behalf. He received a call from Mr. Cui a few days ago to discuss the youth art exhibition. At that time, his voice on the phone sounded a bit hollow. I didn't expect that it would be the last exchange. The principals of Modern Chinese School and Hope Chinese School also came to the stage to mourn Mr. Cui. Everyone is still waiting for more notices from Mr. Cui about the painting competition, the notice about the resumption of classes at Fenni Chinese School, and there are so many things that we agreed to do together, but now Mr. Cui has left in a hurry. . . . Mr. Cui said, "Those who are passionate about life will always have something to do and something to say, no matter where they are, and they will never be lonely." Mr. Cui used his actual actions to practice his life ambitions. He was still doing things at the last minute of his life and said not to be sad to see him off. Cui Lao left, and he gave us here a precious gift, which is also the last gift: a wonderful, valuable, and not lonely life.

Farewell to Mr. Cui