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