“I don’t have to be perfect.
All I have to do is show up and enjoy the messy,
imperfect and beautiful journey of my life.
It’s a trip more wonderful than I could have imagined.”
– Kerry Washington
Tag Archives: life journey
Message to my aunt in heaven
Hello again, Aunt Ying
I thought about you today. Though it is nothing new as I often thought about you in silence and whenever I see the beautiful plants and colourful flowers at the nursery near my home.
I remember those times we sat and talked. Talking to you was always a treat.
We once talked about life and death. You told me that one day you will die and I said, “Aunt, please don’t say that.” But you said, “It’s a fact we must all accept.” You then showed me a beautiful photo of yourself and said it will be the photo of your final journey.
Not too long after that you told me that you had trouble sleeping and you were getting quite forgetful. I did not feel anything amiss at that time cos I was rather forgetful myself too.
I feel sad and helpless when you told me you could no longer drive or do your own shopping. I know how much you loved to be independent. You said you would never want to be a burden to your family.
Also, you often spoke about your two loving daughters, both have made you felt really loved and blessed as a mother. And how much you loved and enjoyed being a grandma to your two wonderful grandsons.
I thought about my visit to your home with Sydelle and Shaye in November 2016. You said you felt very tired. Though you did not say much on that day, you looked at Sydelle and Shaye and uttered “They are very beautiful”. Something you often said about the girls when we meet. I’m thankful that we visited you that day. But I never thought that would be our last goodbye.
Today, I will light a candle for you to let you know,
I miss your smile
I miss your voice
I miss your wit and your wisdom.
Rest in peace, Aunt Ying!
I shall see you one day on the other side of the stars.
Much love, Pat
Quote of the day – Rohinton Mistry
“In the end, it’s all a question of balance.”
―
Quote of the day – Laurie Jean Sennott
“Every flower must grow through dirt”
―
Quote of the day – Burt Reynolds
“All you really have in the end are your stories.”
– Burt Reynolds [11.2.36 – 6.9.18]
RIP [www.maxim.com]
Quote of the day – The Hollies
♪♪(o*゜∇゜)o～♪♪
The road is long
With many a winding turn
That leads us to who knows where
Who knows when
But I’m strong
Strong enough to carry him
He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother
So on we go
His welfare is of my concern
No burden is he to bear
We’ll get there
For I know
He would not encumber me
He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother
If I’m laden at all
I’m laden with sadness
That everyone’s heart
Isn’t filled with the gladness
Of love for one another
It’s a long, long road
From which there is no return
While we’re on the way to there
Why not share
And the load
Doesn’t weigh me down at all
He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother
He’s my brother
He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother…
♪♪♪ ヽ(･ˇ∀ˇ･ゞ)
Quote of the day – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
“It is the time you have wasted for your rose
that makes your rose so important.”
― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince
Quote of the day – Bob Marley
Open your eyes, look within.
Are you satisfied with the life you’re living?
– Bob Marley
Hometown friends
[Back: Khim, M.Yook, O.Ngoh; Front: Me, Y.Kit, C.Huay, Ching, Hoon & Ping]
My hometown friends…
Some of us met in kindergarten
others in Primary or
Secondary school
“Keep in touch” was penned in my
autograph book by most friends.
Many years have come and gone
Staying in touch has proved to be
much harder than we thought.
But yesterday, I was thankful
we made an effort to
come together for a simple
Chinese New Year lunch.
Though we missed those schoolmates
who were unable to join us.
It was fun to talk and laugh
about the good old days
the memories of our childhood
and school days that
have stayed with us and
kept us young at heart.
Some of us never did grow up,
grateful to those who accept
and tolerated our quirkiness.
We know each others’
strengths and weaknesses
yet we do not judge.
We accept each other
as individuals
with different views and
perspective about things.
After all, we are on this
journey called life with
the same hopes and dreams,
To be happy and healthy
To love and to feel loved
Peace of mind and a good night’s rest
To be accepted and knowing that
we have walked this journey
the best we know and could have.
[Ping, Hoon, Mary, O.Ngoh, Ching, Me & C.Huay]
The homeless man – NBC
The other day, I was walking behind this homeless man after getting a few things from the grocery store.
He’s most likely in his mid-thirties. He seemed normal and healthy and in no way inadequate though his clothes looked old and worn out. He often carries a plastic bag with what looked like the few essential items he possessed.
I often see him loitering about the vicinity where I lived. I wonder why he is homeless and if he had a family. I’m sure he has a life story to tell like everyone else.
There were a few occasions I saw him sitting in the playground nearby writing in a notebook. And he just kept on writing and writing.
Otherwise, he can be seen standing outside a 24-hour convenience store where he would place a plastic container for anyone who is willing to spare him some loose change. He seemed to have a kind of dignity and confidence in him that I could not explain, unlike most homeless persons I have met. I am sure he knew who his regular supporters were. After all, this is a very small suburb. And most long-time residents here respect and accept him for who he is.
Apart from that, he is self-sufficient and content to live his life this way. Once, we happened to be both queueing to buy our food from a food truck. A four-wheel drive drove pass and stopped in front of us. A middle-aged woman winds down her the car window and handed the homeless man a bag of Chinese takeaway food. To my surprise, he told her in fluent Cantonese “No need, I have food today.” But the woman was persistent and said twice, “Take it, I bought it for you.” And again he told her no. The lady then drove away bewildered by the rejection from this homeless man.
Here is a person who I guess had not eaten a decent meal in at least a few years and I cannot help to think how often we are guilty of overindulgent when it comes to food.
There were days we too may feel just like this homeless man – unloved, lonely and disconnected. The only difference is that we have a place we can go to, which we call home.
My prayer for everyone is may we never end up like this homeless man. Life has its ups and downs and so often life seemed so unfair and our suffering unbearable. But in those times may we be grateful to have a roof over our heads and food on the table. And most of all to have our family or someone by our side, to love and to be loved.
