Recollection of Letters (23)

 31 December 2021

Dear Sushila

I am writing this on the last day of 2021 and like many of my friends, we are ready to say goodbye to a year Covid, disruption of businesses and social restrictions. Because there is always Hope, that the new year 2022 will be a brighter, more relaxed and joyful year; a new beginning to a new normal. The biggest hope that many of us hold on to is that the pandemic can come to an end and we can breathe easier.

2021 has been a roller-coaster year; first with the Delta variant that infected so many people causing innumerable sufferings and deaths, especially in India. Then  there was the Omicron virus, which fortunately was not so fatal, but still feared, as scientists rushed to analyzed its mutation and its effects on the human body. 

In Singapore, the government's amendments to help to contain the spread of the virus keep changing (they have no choice looking at the global situation). First it was 5 pax for F&B dine-in, then a couple of weeks later, it was 2 pax per social visit; then when infections keep rising with clusters here and there, no dine-in allowed, only take-away and deliveries! The poor F&B businesses really suffered and many have to close shop.

Personally, I am glad that I have retired when this pandemic came, otherwise I will be all nerves, not sure whether I can still hold on to my job!

But we are affected in one way or another. Prices of food, essential household items have all gone up due to supply chain being affected by countries on lockdown, so that eats into my savings and retirement fund. But fret not, I tell myself. The main thing now is to keep healthy both physically and mentally, so I am keeping myself busy 'conversing' with you, my trusted friend, via letters! 

After all that rich Christmas fare, tonight, I will just stay home, have a glass of wine and watch the countdown on TV! So Cheers, Sushila! Happy New Year! May 2022 brings abundant blessings to all!

Love

Sylvia 

Recollection of letters (22)

 19 December 2021

Dear Sushila

It's the Yuletide season, so here's wishing you a merry and joyful Christmas with a feast of food, wine & whiskey, good friends surrounding you, light-headed with jokes, laughter and lots of presents! One is never too old for surprise presents.

I will be celebrating on 22 & 25 December, both at my son, Jon's place. Because of the social restrictions of 5 people per household each time, we will have 2 different guests on each of the day, as we as family members from different household are also considered in the head count!

I found this story in my book of anecdotes to share with you as we begin a new year:

A woman dreamt that she walked into a shop and behind the counter sat God. "What do you sell?" she asked. "Everything your heart desires" said God. The woman decided to ask for the best things a human being could wish for. "I want peace of mind, love and happiness, freedom and free from fear." she said. Then as an after-thought, she added "Not just for me, but for everyone on earth".

God smiled and said, "I think you got me wrong, my dear. We don't sell fruits here. Only seeds."

Food for thought right? It makes us be aware to build on our innate goodness, to be kind and considerate in our thoughts, words and actions. By sharing  God' goodness to others, they too will know how to nurture their own goodness to make this world a better and kinder place to live in. 

Peace on earth to man of goodwill! 

Love

Sylvia

 

A Christmas Letter

 17 Decmber 2021

For the last two weeks, Christmas carols have been filling the air in our home and setting the mood for the yuletide celebrations. I have always loved Christmas carols! They tell us the whole story of what Christmas means: the birth of Christ in the little town of Bethlehem, on a silent, holy night; how the choir of angels sing in their angelic voices, proclaiming the glory of God and peace on earth, tidings of comfort and joy! How the shepherds on a cold winter's night, tending their sheep looked up and saw a Star, shining brightly in the East, and heard the angels' song of Noel, Noel and were led to the stable where the infant Jesus lay in a manger; how the three kings of Orient came to pay homage with gifts of frankincense, myrrh and gold, while up in the air, Heaven and nature sing, "Joy to the world" and all the faithful are called to come and adore Him, Christ the Lord! 

Yes, Christmas is coming soon. In Orchard Road, the shopping belt of Singapore, the streets are all decked in full gaiety and brilliance! and Christmas carols playing over the PA system in the shopping malls lift up our spirits, making us all merry to revel in this festive season!  

Such is the commercial Christmas.

In the midst of our busyness of buying presents and preparing the feast of turkey, wine and log cakes, let us not forget the Spiritual Christmas, the day God gave us the gift of His Son, who came in the form of a baby, born in a stable (because there was no room for them in the inn), wrapped in swaddling clothes by his mother and placed on a manger. 

Guess who were the first privileged people to see the Holy infant? The poor, lowly, menial shepherds who were led to the stable by the angels. The second esteemed set of visitors were the three learned, wise men, led by the bright Northern Star. In their wisdom, they could recognize the baby lying on the manger as the promised Christ and they knelt and pay him homage. 

Are we as privileged as the shepherd boys to be the first to see and welcome the baby Jesus this Christmas? Are we enlightened and humble enough to bend on our knees, like the three wise men to recognize and accept the tiny baby as our Savior? 

In these weeks of Advent, let us prepare to receive Him whole-heartedly. Let us clear our minds and hearts of doubts, animosity, ego and be ready to tell Mother Mary, "There is room in my heart for your baby. When you wrap him in swaddling clothes, please place him in the manger of my heart."   

May your Christmas be meaningful as well as joyful as you celebrate with friends and family!

Pax et Bonum.

    

    

Recollection of letters (21)

10 December 2021

Dear Sushila

I found this card in my cupboard. It's about sweet romances & I must have bought it during my travels, most likely in Amsterdam. It's an old card now and sweet romances have long gone from me! These days, it's inward contemplation and  dependent mercy for emotional and spiritual sustenance.

As Carl Jung, a Swiss Psychiatrist puts it: "The first half of life is devoted to forming a healthy ego. The second half is going inward and letting go of it". 

It's so true. When I was working, it was all rush, rush, work hard, give your best, show results, disagreement with colleagues and even your boss! I'm so glad that those days of 'adrenaline rush' is over and when I think of it now, I asked myself- "whatever for?". Yes those days of simply existing and letting the days rush by seems meaningless. I wished I had slowed down a bit then and allow my emotional and mental being to mature with the years. It is only now in my retirement agedness that I learn to give myself time and space to be alone, to reflect and contemplate on my life, not on regrets; but more what I have learned from the past and to visualize how I will live my elderhood in the years to come. Hopefully I will become what this wise sage once said," One day you will look back and see that all along you were blooming!".

Yes, you and I are still blooming, Sushila. We don't waste time worrying about our wrinkles or our weight. We continue to live a simple life and to do the things we love. 

Simple is beautiful! 

Love

Sylvia

 

Recollection of letters (20)

8 December 2021 

Dear Dr Haroon

Glad that my letters are reaching you. How is Bangladesh with the covid situation? We only get news about India which still see 40,000 cases a day! The new Omicron strain has alarmed many nations, including Singapore, so we don't expect anymore easing of social gathering rules until after the new year. Although less fatal than the Delta strain, scientists are still cautious and need more data to analyze its effects. My fear is the risks of more mutations and how it will affect the human body. So as not to err on the side of caution, we are still wearing masks, diligent on personal hygiene and avoiding crowded places.    

Have you heard of the story of the two wolves? 

An old Cherokee native told his grandson:

"My son, there is a battle between two wolves inside all of us. One is Evil. It is anger, jealousy, greed, resentment, inferiority, lies and ego.

The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, humility, kindness, empathy and truth."

The young boy thought about it, and asked, " Grandfather, which wolf wins?"

The old man quietly replied, "The one you feed"

I like this story because it makes me aware each day not to let the negative thoughts cover the positive side of people, things or situations, in all our thoughts, words and actions.  

Do you think this pandemic, (& because of border closures) have made the Bangladesh patients confident to trust the healthcare of their own country? I'm just wondering whether patients will still flock to India, Thailand or Singapore, once borders are opened, to seek alternative medical treatment. 

Stay safe and healthy,

Sylvia