The "Celebration Of Life" for Shin Na

I have been following Shin Na's blog for some weeks, ever since a documentary on her was telecast on CNA some time ago. You all probably already know the very sad news by now - Shin passed away last Tuesday. She was truly a brave, remarkable and inspiring woman. I would like to express my deepest condolences to Tony, Josie and Toby.

When I read that her funeral service would be held at Asian Civilisation Museum, I thought it was a rather unusual venue too. But Shin was an unusual woman.

My mind wondered - would a FOYer (Friend of Yesterday.sg) like me be granted this privilege as well when my time comes? Having "written some" philatelic books here and there, I thought it would be nice to have mine held at the Singapore Philatelic Museum. Even better, if I could have a stamp issued in my honour for the occasion.

Haha, I am only kidding, of course. I know that only kings and queens are deserving enough to have their faces published on stamps. Certainly not a peasant like me, am I right, Wee Kiat?

It is just wishful thinking on my part. Besides, my anonymity on this blog should be carried into the nether world. If not my name then at least my face. :)

A Slice Of Life - Eulogy (Death Of A Friend)

Last week, I bought a CD which was produced and presented by Mr Eugene Loh, Senior Producer/Presenter and Music Director of 938Live Station of MediaCorp Radio (S) Pte Ltd. It was titled "A Slice Of Life - Vol. 1".

Eugene has a very calming, soothing and therapeutic voice. His stories are still being broadcast 3 times a day, I think. I usually listen to the 7.55 am broadcast while driving to work. For the CD, I find Track No. 19 particularly meaningful. It is called "Eulogy (Death Of A Friend)" and below is its transcription:

A friend of mine passed away recently. And once again, I am reminded of the fragility of life. Somehow we don't think that the people around us - our colleagues, our family members, our friends - can actually die. Sure we all know that death is very much a part of life. But it's only when misfortune strikes that we are violently jolted out of our comfort zone, where we were nestling comfortably, thinking that we will all live to a ripe old age. But our lives can indeed be taken from us at any time regardless of how young or healthy we are. And the point is not to huddle in a dark corner fearing it but to make full use of every opportunity to love and appreciate the people around us. So that when they do pass on, we can be comforted by the fact that we have given all the love we had to give. And that the time has come now for someone else to hold the hands of the ones we have lost.

Funny how a heart beats
It finds its own rhythm

Amidst the cacophony of life
We're raised

Then suddenly take a fall
In a moment we're as dizzy

As the tight-rope artiste
Suddenly without a parasol

Paths cross haphazardly
And no one sees beyond the bend

We always choose to make our enemies
But we never choose to make our friends

Our plans were never grand
The visions we pursued were never really realised

We never packed the house
And the house has mostly sent us packing

But while the music played
The world became small and simple

And our hearts were dancing
So this is where you have gone and this is where you will wait

With the ones who left early
For the ones who will arrive late

We all have tickets for the same destination
Just different dates

Thanks for the ride my friend
Now we must ride on our own

There are many things I can't be certain of
But I'm sure you're not alone

In our darkest hours
You'll be in our hearts

Music brought us together
And through it, our souls will never part

So Many Questions, So Few Answers

Life could be so unpredictable
Events could make unexpected turns
One moment it was a walk in the park
Next you could be pinned under a tree

You could be playing football
When a bolt came out of the blue
The blue blue sky that is
You died playing your favorite sport

You could be waiting for a bus
Along came a less than sober driver
Made a stop before your bus did
But not before ploughing you down

You cycled the same path
At the break of each dawn
A barrier was erected overnight
Paralysed by it was the least you expected

A minor accident occurred
Whose fault was it anyway?
Did that really matter?
Was it actually worth dying for?

So you broke up with your sweetheart
Whatever the reason given
Why throw away your future and double-degree?
Worse still, put her life in real danger?

He called off a relationship
Maybe it was lust and not love?
Was that so hard to accept?
That you had to throw his little child down?

Yes you might have been tormented
And you could have suffered discrimination
By hedonists or charlatans, who cares?
You've no bloody right to take innocent lives

He might have cheated you of money
Couldn't make a report as the money was dirty
Did that mean that you could gun him down
And then claim that you've had one too many?

You were deep in debt even before IRs were mooted
All because of a gambling addiction
Couldn't be repaid with a meagre salary
But was snuffing out your whole family a solution?

Work stress might be getting to you
Asked for a transfer but got rejected
Were you proving a point by jumping down
Leaving your poor wife to suffer after you?

Happy family you didn't treasure
China woman you went after
Even if a suicide pact failed
Did you have to chop her into 7 pieces?

Why do some babies die
Before they've a chance to live?
Why do some children have fatal diseases?
While others simply die in their sleep?

For some who could live
Everyday is a new challenge
Is that supposed to make them stronger
Or a test of love for their care-givers?

Does everything happen for a reason?
Must events follow a season?
So many questions, so few answers
Especially for us mere mortals

Sometimes it's hard to understand
Are things really in God's hands?
Why does He make it so difficult sometimes?
Could He be putting us through a trial?