Asta Boi, the most beautiful and special boy with a hole in his heart; has now pierced a massive hole in our hearts too. A hole which could neither be filled nor fixed.
As the grim forces attempted to pull Asta away, he held on, munching small bites of pappadam while awaiting for Ah Gong, Ahma, Ahyi and Aunty Monique to arrive and for the last time, hold his warm chappy paws. Life’s notorious twin, death, finally caught up with Asta on his earth-bound journey on 16 February 2025. Surrounded by us, who always believe that this little guy was and still is an angel, whose forte is showing us what unconditional love truly is. This infamous artist, death, had previously brushed elbows with Asta on a few occurrences over his worsening heart. Nonetheless, the little fella fought on, basking in life’s simplest joyous moments during the car rides with mamee & pops, or while listening to pops’ piano (home) concerts, and during staycaytions at Ahma’s place.
Much gratitude to ASD and vollies, Asta has made our house a home since 28 September 2023. From the start to end of each day, our lives revolve around this boy. We just gravitate towards him. Waking up to his excitement over breakfast, seeking comfort by lying next to him when things get tough in life, chit chatting with him about our day, being followed around while doing our mundane dailies, being given the judgy side eyes, and saying the night’s prayers together at his bed side.
His favourite is Christmas, with the tree put up from early November to end January and music played aloud here at Asta’s humble nook. He told Aunty Bel before that he knows good from bad music (ok hands up, Asta Boi, you certainly do). His only fear was missing out, yes fomo. Fomo when any of us is still awake and stays outside the bedroom past bed time. Asta would wake, remain standing behind the bedroom door and is ready to swoop out when the door is open. The next Christmas would be the first one without Asta in our young family. This son of a gun called grief may run amok, constantly patronising us that with it around, our hearts have no room left for others.
Yet, the love that has nested at home with Asta anchored stronger than grief. Nevermind with the irreparable holes in our hearts, they are not moving away, we know. Beyond them, we feel the warmth and assurance that Asta stays with us; now closer than ever, with boundaries no more. He is here in our thoughts, in our prayers, in our endless chats about his silliness, in every car ride and in the tunes that pops is playing on the piano. He is here each time we say love to one another and when we dance to those Christmas cheers around his favourite Christmas tree.
To other pawrents or grandpawrents who have lost your angels, we are here grieving with you. Might we say, however, let’s not let grief’s old friend, guilt, creep up each time we meet joy in the midst of these dark clouds. When we embrace that happiness, rest assured that our angel furkids, Asta and the other precious ones, are excitedly savouring the joy too, wagging their tails with the forever puppy faces, awaiting for us in heaven while having their own fun.
-Ana & Xuan (Asta’s mamee & pops)
Asta's Story: