Life's Good

I am euphoric! I am going home soon for Chinese New Year! I am going to see my parents whose smiles I miss terribly, and reminisce with my old chummy friends whom I have not seen for the last 6 months. It may seem like a short time but it has been like eternity to me. Perhaps it is because I have been through so much of a life event here that it makes my yearning for stability and cuddling love even stronger than ever. But I know that there are lots of things which I have yet to accomplish here and that I would have to leave the comfort zone again after 3 weeks of precious reunion. Nevertheless it makes my heart pound whenever I think of my familiar abode and its aromatous food of love.

There was a short trying period when I thought I was back to solitude and aloofness, in isolation, on foreign grounds. A few of my good friends had left physically, either back visiting in their hometown or being transferred to the outbacks on a temporary basis. Thankfully some of them have returned, although we were all so caught up with our work subsequently. I guess what really touched me was when they all once again rallied around me when I needed them most, lending their supporting ears and comforting shoulders. We had more frequent meals and outings, and they never failed to cheer me up with their spontaneous wits and entertaining presence. The phonecalls and emails that I received from my faraway friends warmed my heart and rekindled my optimism for life. I could never thank God enough for what I was blessed with.

When my close friend of 17 years from home divulged few weeks ago about her discharging breast lump, I was struck with a sudden fear that I may lose her forever. A part of me wanted to fly back immediately and be by her side to share those terrifying moments, but my common sense was telling me that this was not possible then and I had to be rational in order to offer appropriate support for her. Fortunately all turned out to be well and she subsequently had a benign cyst removed surgically. I was glad I called and heard her shrilling voice once more.

I enjoyed reading this article penned by a homegrown writer in her late fifties: "Life's Good when You are at Peace with Yourself". It was an inspiring piece for me, found in the Sunday Straits Times Interactive (www.asiaone.com; 'Think' section, 23rd Jan 2005), which I am still trying to figure out how to link it to my blog. Her last sentence held the most truth: "....We can make Singapore a great place to live....but you do need to be in a good place within yourself as well."

I hope I would be able to attain this state of mind eventually.