We'll Find a Way to Start Anew.

Have you ever wondered how your life would be completely different if you hadn't met someone? This week, our nation mourns the loss of a significant “someone”. It still feels surreal to me, to accept the fact that he's gone.

Earlier this week I went to the Parliament House to pay my respects and there was a myriad emotions among the people. Sometimes, we dread and complain about our grandparents' (or heck, even our parents') nagging, and how they dictate our lives with their stupid rules. More often than not, we'll grow up taking them for granted, and when the worst happens, we'll be filled with regret and finally see how much they loved us. I believe this was how most Singaporeans felt after Mr Lee Kuan Yew's passing. Deep down, our respect for him has always been there, it's just innately “Singaporean” to complain along the way.

I wrote the following in Mandarin because I felt it was more personal and sincere:

国父，我能在您晚年的篇章里成长，是我的荣幸。虽然您的故事划下了完美的句点，但是您放心让我们继续写好新加坡的下一本书吧！一路走好。

“Our Founding Father, it is my absolute pleasure to be able to live in the later chapters of your life. Although your story has come to an end today, rest assured that we will continue to do our part in writing the next book of Singapore. Rest in peace.”

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