with Aunt Alice, and friends from 196 East Coast Road.
My Mum and Dad led very active lives, both in work and also in social and volunteering activities. These are the memories which I would choose to remember them by, at their prime (Mum in her early to mid 50s and Papa in his Mid 60s).
Mum as the personal assistant to 4 Permanent Secretary of Health since the late 60s till the late 90s. Papa was a lawyer who had his own law firm and then helped out many organizations as legal adviser and school such as the Bible Society, YMCA, Anglican Council of Churches, NUSS Society Alumni (he was President on 2 separate occasions),St Andrew's School (board of governors) and St Andrew's Junior College, Singapore Swimming Club, the list just went on and on.
What everyone does with his life is purely his decision only. At the end of his or her life, if he gets a chance to reflect on it, he must have as little regrets and rather, reminisce about all the joyous and satisfying occasions that have dotted his life and experiences.
Living in a huge bungalow, driving the fastest supercars or visiting all the glamorous places the world over just doesn't impress me like when I was younger. I am cognizant of my limitations in life both physically, mentally and spiritually. I do whatever I can with my abilities and small gifts bestowed upon me to traverse through life, raise a family and mingle with friends and people who mean much to me. Helping others out is also an option I am more focussed nowadays.
Robin Williams (the late great comedian) in his standout movie "Dead Poets Society" told his young students to "gather ye rosebuds while ye may.." a sonnet by Robert Herrick.
Gather ye Rosebuds while ye may,
Old Time is still a flying
And this same flower that smiles today
Tomorrow will be dying.
The glorious lamps of heaven, the Sun
The Higher he's a getting
The sooner will his race be run
And nearer he's to setting.
That age is best which is the first
When youth and blood are warmer
But being spent, the worse, and worst
Times still succeed the former.
Then be not coy, but use your time
And while ye may, go marry,
For having lost but once your prime
You may forever tarry.
"To the Virgins, Make Much of Time"
Robert Herrick - 1591 - 1674.
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