A Silent Love

Sitting in the very corner of the cafeteria, I had my eyes on you. In fact, it was in this rather dark and lonely corner that I had most of my being, waiting patiently for your coming, catching glimpses of you from afar, and having our eyes meet and getting that butterfly feeling........

You were so beautiful with your flowing long dark hair. I especially love to see your sparkling black eyes of wisdom and compassion. And those beautiful white teeth and bright smile. And your facial expressions and gestures. Oh! if only you knew my heart was for you.

I was jealous of your group of friends sitting there with you. They looked so happy talking, smiling and laughing with you, with the holding of hands, hugging and teasing.......

But I could see that they were only interested in telling you more of their stories, feelings and things. Yet you were so cool and calm, carefully listening to them and responding once in a while.

But sometimes, I could catch tints of sadness in your eyes when you turned your sight away and looking around. Sometimes you looked at me intensely with a sweet but helpless smile. Oh! How I wished I could take you away and dispel your boredom. But very quickly you returned your attention to your friends again and responded dutifully.

If only I could sit there beside you and behold your eyes. If only I can see through those eyes to meet your ardent, sincere, and generous heart. It would be nice. Oh! If only you knew this heart was for you.

Sometimes we had a long and longing look and an understanding smile. Oh! How my heart felt for you. I could feel my body floating on the air.... If only you could sit here with me for a while. It would be nice. Oh! If only you knew I had kept my love for you.

Many years had passed and we had not met again. We had moved to many different places. We had not had news from one another, for we had never responded to one another........ But every time when I was alone in a cafeteria, I was looking around for you. If only you knew.......

We finally met....... in the same cafeteria again. We enjoyed watching one another. Then you turned your attention.... to your children. Sometimes, your friends and their family joined you. They looked so happy talking, smiling and laughing with you.

You still turned your sight away and looking around. I could still catch tints of sadness in your eyes.......

But you were very far away.......from me.

It was just a silent love....... I told myself... and sighed.

It's Over

It was the 7th day of the Chinese New Year 2010.

We had had a busy, rather tiring but exciting week celebrating the festival day and night. But we were thrilled, excited, honored and grateful by the presence of many.

Many family members, relatives, friends, colleagues, next door neighbors, first day visitors....... had come to visit us. Many accounts of incidents and happenings, stories and tales, regional and global issues, and various other topics of interest were shared and discussed. Many facets of love, care, respect, appreciation, gratitude, and compassion were expressed and given. It was indeed joyful, cheerful, peaceful, wonderful and fruitful moments for everyone present.

But then, come another day and my two older children will be heading back to their respective college and university.

It was wonderful to have them celebrating the Chinese New Year together with us. We had so much to share, to learn, to treasure, and to hear from one another.

But time didn't permit us to linger long. And the thought of having them leaving us tomorrow make us hesitant to let them go (sigh!). A feeling of a lump in the throat and heaviness in the chest accompanied us as the day went by........

It was rather strange for us to speak less today. But we were rather careful in helping one another all through the day. It wasn't easy, but everyone seemed to be okay.

I was grateful to the authority for allowing all schools to extend their holidays to a week to celebrate Chinese New Year 2010. As the Chinese New Year fell on Sunday (14th February), the authority had announced Monday and Tuesday as public holidays. But all the schools were encouraged to apply for 1 occasional holiday for Wednesday and 2 replacement holidays for Thursday and Friday.

Today we had a rather simple lunch. But we promised ourselves to have a feast in the evening.

We invited our neighbors next door to have our evening meal together.

Then we had some red wine and talked on many topics.

It was really wonderful since we could have heart to heart talk with one another.

The time was 10 pm. The two older children were busy checking their things and packing up their luggage. They brought along some cookies and goodies too. The mother was busy clearing and cleaning up the kitchen. Everyone was busy and quiet.

Everyone was waiting for another day.......

Another day, another story.......

It's over......Sigh!

How Much Love Means To Us

It is Chinese New Year 2010.

After all the moments of...

...Planning, price surveying and shopping...

...Clearing, cleaning and tidying...

...Painting, designing and decorating...

...Preparing, making and getting everything ready...

...Arranging, rearranging and arguing.......

We are now ready to celebrate with our family, relatives, colleagues, neighbors, friends, first time visitors....

*******

Now comes the final touch before the guests arrived........

Proper attention to every detail.......

...making sure that the house is tidy, nice and clean...

...making sure that the house looks attractive, relaxing and homely...

...making sure that there is enough food, drink and fruits to go around...

...making sure that everyone in the family is ready to work as a team......

*******

Now come the moment of truth.......

It is time to evaluate how we have lived with our family, relatives, colleagues, neighbors, friends....... throughout the previous years.......

Will there be sincere love and concern, truthful and engaging conversation, spontaneous smiles and laughter,...... in the house?

Now is the moment.......

It is open house.......

The gate is wide opened.......

So is the door.......

*******

The guests have finally arrived.......

We entertain everyone well......

...making sure that our house is a cozy home for everyone...

...making sure that everyone feels welcome into the house...

...making sure that everyone enjoys talking and sharing, smiling and laughing, eating and drinking, moving around and appreciating the home...

...making sure that everyone enjoys staying longer and not leaving so soon...

*******

We have many visitors........

It is indeed a wonderful day of love and care, talking and sharing, smiling and laughing, eating and drinking.......

Not many can understand the joy of having the company of everyone, including strangers and first timers, into our house.......

We are pleased, honored and excited with the presence of everyone......

And we shake everyone's hand with both hands......with gratitude and joy.

*******

True love is not blind.......

True love is not a wish list.......

True love is putting others before ourselves.......

...And in due time reap a glorious harvest.......

... under the scrutiny of the Almighty God.

Oh...... If only we realize how much love means to us....... And how being in love is very important in life........ And how together, in love, we made this world a better place to live and have our beings.......

Happy Chinese New Year!
...

Boredom Kills

Boredom kills.

Boredom is killing me.

But that is the nature, the essence and the fact of life.

Everyone has it, everyone suffers from it, everyone hates it, and everyone wants to get away from it!

But it is there all the time!

Whether we like it or not, want it or not, hate it or not.........

It is there! All the time!!

Who can escape boredom without making some changes?

We do things repeatedly and emotionlessly every single day.

We deal with the same people, talking over the same matters, on the same old tables, many times in a year.

We watch the same TV programs all over again, the same heartbreaking news and lies, the same talk shows with those cheap jokes, soap operas with virtually the same happy endings, the same emotional songs and soothing musical entertainments........

Oh............Oh..............Oh......................

We walk the same street, meeting the same people, entering the same shops and stalls, choosing and buying the same things, eating the same food and drink.......

We put on the same business like smiles, the same hand waves and shakes, the same opening greetings, the same small talks, the same topics of discussion, using the same gestures and movements all over again.

We dress the same way, comb the same hair, put on the same clothes, speak the same language, join the same crowds, eat the same food, play the same games, hear the same musics, talk the same topics........

We dream the same dream, want the same thing, plan the same plan, face the same challenges, solve the same problems, sing and shout the same victory song.......

Oh............Oh..............Oh......................

*******

Who can escape boredom without changes?

Somehow we get tired of the things we do and want a change.

We yearn to escape from our task at hand...........

We want to do something different.

We quit our job, looking forward to graze on greener pasture.

We take a leave, go for a holiday to recapture the wonder of life.

We spend our precious leisure times on books and magazines, delving into a world of exploration and discovery, intrigues and conspiracies, secrets and desires, romance and love, bondage and freedom, logic and truth.......

We spend our weekends hungry shopping, careless eating, aimless roaming, carefree talking and chatting.........

Boredom kills....... Boredom kills....... Boredom kills.......

But who can escape boredom?

Only those who walk out of their boredom and look for a change......

You Are Special

One Little Boy thinks that he is so very ordinary.

So his Daddy decides to give him a piece of his mind.......

*******

My Son... Come here...

You are special if you think you are special.

You have nice cute eyes...

You have a big and beautiful nose...

You have a wonderful and happy smile...

You look decent and presentable...every time, everywhere

You walk with confidence and style.... and you carry yourself well...

Son, Daddy is proud of you...

Daddy thinks you are a very special Boy.

The Son listens for a while...

And shakes his head, thinking he is not like that.......

Daddy's heart is hurt...

But Daddy continues.......

*******

My Son, you are special because other people think you are special.

You have a lot of good friends and playmates...

I don't think you have an enemy...

I seldom see you quarrel or fight with someone...

I hardly hear you raise your voice in frustration and anger...

You are always on the phone and always have a good company of friends around...

You attend parties, meetings, and celebrations...

You go outings, trips, picnics, tours, shopping with your friends and schoolmates...

My Son, you can and have got along well with everyone...

The Son shakes his head harder, thinking it is not true.......

Daddy's heart is doubly hurt...

But Daddy continues.......

*******

My Son, you are special because God makes you special.

God gives you talents and skills...

God gives you knowledge and wisdom...

God gives you extra special sweet look and disposition...

God loves you and will take good care of you if you are willing to let Him...

The Son shakes his head even harder, thinking God won't care about him...

Many tears start oozing out of his eyes...running down on his face... and neck...

He screams and cries.......

*******

No Daddy...

I don't think I'm special...

I don't think other people think I'm special...

I don't think God thinks I'm special...

No Daddy........

Daddy's heart is hurt... He cries together with his Son...

But Daddy continues.......

*******

My Son, you are special because you make people's life special...

Your smiles and laughter brighten the days and lives of many...

Your concerns and cares have magically swept away every sadness and problem...

Your presence and actions have brought together everyone far and near...

And we love you....... You have made our life whole...and very complete...

My Son, you are special because you make everyone feels special.

*******

The Son eventually comes to his mind...

His face blossoms into a widest and sweetest smile...

Yeah, I am special because I have made other people feel special...

*******

My Son...

No life is ordinary...

Every life is very special...

You are very special to everyone...

You have made everyone around very special......

Oh....... My Son My Son My Son....

You are so very special to me.

Daddy cries with joy........