Yap.. today ends another chapter of my life.. and another chapter begins..

Army, wo lai ye!

My maternal grandma came over to my house today cos she needed to attend a wake at Nativity. One of my distant relatives has just gone to see the Lord. At my house, amidst all the topics of conversations, naturally wakes came up. We were discussing the meaning of wakes and how relavent they are. Do people go to wakes for the dead or for the living? Yes, people do go to pay their respects to the dead, and to pray for them.. Sometimes we see people who didn't have a good relationship with the dead turning up for the wake.. The question is, is it too late for reconciliation? Why didn't one try to reconcile when the person's still alive? Yes, it's hard sometimes.. but aren't we taught to love? Even our enemies? Yes, easier said than done, one might say.. but it's not impossible.

Sometimes I look back on those times when I was in that situation.. not having a good relationship with a person. It didn't bring either of us any good.. only bad feelings, hatred, anger.. and what have you. But all these can be avoided if we learn how to love as Christ did. Once again, it's not easy.. but it's also not impossible. Sigh..

My dad was reminded of a poem..

I would rather have a little rose
From the garden of a friend
Than to have the choicest flowers
When my day on earth must end.

I would rather have a loving smile
From friends I know are true
Than tears shed roud my casket
When this world I have bid adieu.

I would rather have a little word
In kindness said to me
Than flattery round my heart
And life has ceased to be.

So bring me all your flowers today
Whether pink or white or red
I would rather have a blossom now
Than a truck-load when I am dead.

- Anonymous

So, love while you can.