Recollection of letters (11)

25 September 2021 

Dear Sushila

Thank you for your message which is received with joy! Glad to know you are well, and that the lock-down in Sri Lanka will be lifted in a few days' time. We still have to be careful though. Singapore's strategy of accepting the Covid-19 as endemic is not full-proof, even with 83% of the population fully vaccinated. Yesterday there were 1,443 cases with 165 cases needing oxygen supplement and 27 patients in ICU. The government has opened a care facility for those infected but not sick enough to need hospitalization. They are also encouraging the asymptomatic cases to quarantine at home. What is daunting is that those who get very ill are mostly above 60 years old. So it's better for us to stay home and not go out unnecessarily. 

Actually this regulation to stay home suits me fine. I have so many things to do to occupy my time, like reading, writing, playing with my craft work. I still go for my morning walks along the river in Punggol Park near my house. It's my dose of sunshine and fresh air for the day. 

I have two pet dogs, Zuma & Ines, who are my constant companion; and looking after them and preparing their food keep me busy. I adopted them from a shelter, the Hong Kong Dog Rescue (HKDR). It is run by a British lady called Sally Henderson. I volunteered at the shelter and fell in love with Zuma first. She was 9 months old when I brought her home. Ines was adopted in Dec 2018, she had spent 8 years in the shelter (poor girl!). So when James retired, we relocated them back to Singapore. Both are active dogs and we walk them 3 times a day (good exercise for us). Some weekends we take them to the dog park to let them run and socialize with other dogs, but those carefree days for them were before the Covid. 

Why do you say you are a poor eater, Sushila? You must eat to stay fit and healthy. Like the Centenarian says, eat for nutrition, not for taste. Unlike you, I love my food - too much, that is why I am putting on weight! And now with the Covid, the more excuse to eat to strenghten our immunity. Are you taking any supplements? A friend advised me to take Calcium, Vitamin C.  I still love my red wine though and drink a glass most evenings in front of the tv!

Time flies; we have been fighting the Covid since Jan 2020 and have not made a break-through progress. I pray for the people who are struggling, the street vendors, the daily wage workers and those who have lost their jobs, that they can overcome this adversity with resolve, resilience, hope and faith.

Blessings to you & family.

with love

Sylvia

Recollection of letters (10)

 22 September 2021

Dear Sushila

Did you know that 20 September is a Day of Respect for the Aged? It was put forth by The United Nations to commemorate the community of old people and not to forget that it was their sweat and toils that built up our nations. I consider myself senior-senior, not quite aged yet - but getting there. I once saw a video clip where they interview seven centenarians and asked their opinions on certain topics. One question I remember vividly is this: "What advice would you give to the youths of today?" and their answers were:

1) Do your best you can. Don't feel that perfection is necessary, just do your best.

2) Listen to your heart because only the heart will know what is right or wrong.

3) Love yourself

4) Eat for nutrition, not for taste.

5) Do what you need to do, not what you want to do.

6) Don't be too impatient. Just keep on working.

7) Have will power, because once you have the will, you can achieve anything. 

Age-old wisdom, simple but profound, from people who have been through two world wars, the Great Depression, a number of economic crisis, and now the pandemic.

We learn from them resilience, strength, courage, tenacity, faith & hope to pull through adversities, to emerge the wiser. Yes, we are learning everyday with life's lessons.

How are you, Sushila? I hope you are well & fit and enjoying each new day. You deserve a good life. Don't let age be a barrier of what you want to do. Never say "I'm too old for this...or that". Go for daily walks. You can walk along the seashore of the great Indian Ocean where the Galle Hotel is, enjoy the vast expanse of the ocean, smell the sea air and feel the wind blowing ever so fresh on your face and hair! Don't worry about Covid because you are in open space.

I wish you good health, Sushila.

Cheers

Sylvia 

 

Recollection of Letters (9)

 20 September 2021

Dear Sushila

When I put this beautiful fairy sticker on this card, I remember that I read a lot of Enid Blyton's story books in my growing up years, so I guess my young mind was inundated with a make-believe world of fairies, gnomes & pixies! But it was all good and positive fables that mold my thoughts. Sometimes when I look at the grass, or tree trunks or bush flowers during my walks, a whimsical thought would come to mind, of a little fairy coming out from the tree and take me on a fanciful adventure! Not too old to dream right, Sushila? 

The Singapore government's plan to accept Covid as endemic is taking its toll. The daily cases is now 1000+, with 800+ hospitalized, 100+ needing oxygen & 21 in ICU. We are in the vulnerable group, so try not to expose ourselves unnecessarily. The booster dose has been rolled out & will be given 6 months after the 2nd dose. I'm not sure about children below the age of 12 taking the vaccine as we are still not too sure about this mRNA thing! 

The present global  politics is disturbing. Look at the pact signed by US, UK & Australia with the latter withdrawing its contract to buy nuclear submarines from France. The French are proud people and this is seen as a colossal slight to their face in the international arena. Wonder what Morrison was thinking? I pray for unity among world leaders to bring peace to one and all.

Find joy in the ordinary, Sushila.

Love

Sylvia 

Recollection of letters (8)

17 September 2021 

Dear Sushila

We celebrate our mid-Autumn Festival on 21 September, on the 15th day of the 8the month in the Chinese calender. Traditionally it is celebrated after the Autumn harvest where farmers and the nation gather to pray and thank God for a good harvest. So it's like a Thanksgiving observance. When I was young, my mother would cook up a big feast for the family gathering and I got to eat chicken! (a novelty during my time). In this new era, we celebrate with mooncakes and lanterns. To the Millennials, it's the Lantern Festival, and to the Generation Alpha, like my grandchildren, lanterns are not those conventional paper types, with a candle or a small bulb to lit it up, but robots or police cars operated by batteries!

Sometimes I wonder what the world would be like in 20 year's time when they reach young adulthood, with such rapid technological advances. I don't think I can keep up, so it's good that I will be long gone by then.

For now, I'm enjoying what little I know from my smart phone. I can google search, order groceries online and I have downloaded all my favorite old songs into my phone for my listening pleasure during my morning walks! It transports me to the care-free days of youth where dreams were a-plenty (and still are!). Haha! We have to live with hope, right?  

Sending you bouquets of love and good wishes this Mid-Autumn Festival!

Sylvia

Recollection of letters (7)

 16 September 2021

Dearest Sushila

Cheers again! to life, to family, to friendship, to love, to memories of youth, to peace and good times to come! Yes, I have to stay positive amid this Covid-19 pandemic, Singapore is not faring any better. We are still on this 'experimental' process of trying to live with the virus since 83% of the population has been fully vaccinated. But cases are still high at 800+ cases each day. One significant point I noticed is that a high percentage of those cases are seniors above the age of 60. I guess with aging, our immune system is not as strong compared to the young adults, so it is best that we do not expose ourselves unnecessarily.

Yesterday I visited my hair-dresser for a much needed haircut. She has a fish tank in her shop with a fair-size white color fish. I can't tell the species. She told me she had the fish since it was a 'baby'. What was interesting is that as she walked to one side of the shop, the fish would swim towards her side and back again to the side where she was, when she walked back! The fish was following her!  Then when she was doing my hair, the fish would stay on the spot as though watching her and not move until she moves! Isn't that endearing? Even a fish can recognize its owner and grow so close to her.

Talking about pet loyalty, I have a friend in Indonesia who had a small owl as a pet. The owl would perch on her shoulder as she works. One day, she went on holiday and her servant called her to say that the owl refused to eat. By the time she came back the owl was very weak and eventually died! So sad.  

I I really miss all my friends in Bangkok, me ex-colleagues and the doctors we worked with. But I must not dwell in the past. How are you, Sushila? I hope you are keeping well and safe. Remember we all have within us the ability to move from struggle to grace.

I wish the brightest star will shine on your path of life.

Love

Sylvia   

Recollection of letters (6)

 8 September 2021

Dear Sushila

Does this card made you want to eat chocolates? If you love chocolates, go for the dark ones, those with 70% or 85% cacao. Studies have shown that cacao with its high polyphenols can improve blood flow and reduce cholesterol, thereby reducing the risk of heart disease and its complications. So you don't have to feel guilty when eating chocolates. The key is moderation, which applies to all other foods that we love. I myself do not fancy chocolates at all, or chocolate cakes or chocolate ice-cream, for that matter. My children call me 'weird' but are gleeful that they can have my share as extra piece!

I prefer my Chinese tea or red wine, both of which contain high polyphenols (natural antioxidants). So cheers, Sushila! 

The Singapore government's roadmap to managing the covid-19 pandemic and opening up the economy has met with some hiccups. With a successful rate of 82% of the population vaccinated, they were hoping for a herd immunity. So rules are relaxed; 50% of workforce could return to office and social gathering of 5 pax allowed. But since last week, community case have been going up. From 100+ to 200+ and yesterday 300+. The transition to live with covid, accepting it like the seasonal flu is a novel idea, but we do not know much as yet, about this highly infectious virus; how they mutate, how they spread. More research needs to be done.

As for the vaccines, a big question mark looms, on its efficacy, its ability to build antibodies and if so, for how long? So now we are advised to stay home for the next two weeks and to go out only for essential services. Scientists are now saying vaccination alone is not enough. So we are back to square one, which is personal hygiene, wash hands, wear mask, avoid crowded places. (sigh!)

Do take care Sushila. May the good Lord protect you,

Sylvia