Kite flying artwork by Mui-Joo Wee

November 27. That was just a couple of days back. On that same day one year ago, a lovely young lady in her mid-twenties was ruthlessly shot in the head in her hotel in Mumbai, India, the victim of a terrorist attack. Hwei Yen was a new bride, married for just a few months. A young lawyer, she had been sent to Mumbai by her law firm to make a presentation.

As I gazed at her photos in the memorial messages published in the obituary section of the newspaper, and read the heart-rending message penned by her prematurely-widowed husband, sadness swept over me, Hwei Yen’s pretty, smiling face reminded me of my niece, who’s also a lawyer around the same age. So much life, so much potential – it can all be extinguished in just a few moments.

Facing death puts a lot of things in perspective. It forces you to re-evaluate your priorities in life. Since I was diagnosed with cancer, I cherish the people I love, and who love me in return, much, much more. I tell them frequently how much I appreciate them and love them. I try to speak words of life to them, rather than words which hurt and destroy. I value the time spent with the people who matter most to me in all the world. I hug often. I make sure the people who have shown me kindness know how thankful I am. I count my blessings.

All too often, we wait until it’s too late to tell someone how much we love them. We waste our time and energy filling our lives with unimportant things, while we neglect the ones who really count. Then, one day, they’re gone, and we’re left with regret.

There are people I love to bits, and I want them to know this while we have our days to enjoy together. As for those I’m not exactly wild about, and who aren’t crazy about me either, I hope we’ll have a better relationship. Life is really too short to waste on fighting.

There are things I always wanted to do, but never got around to doing. I always felt there was plenty of time. Then the years went by, and some windows of opportunity closed.

There’s no point looking back. We have today, filled with all its promise and hope. Let’s make the most of it. My dear hubby, Andrew, bought a kite more than a year ago, and he has yet to fly it. We’ve been bogged down by so many things. It’s been very windy and cool lately. I think we should go kite-flying this week.

Posted: November 30th, 2009 under Healthy Spirit.
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My cousin Queenie just sent this to me. It’s a good reminder for all of us to focus on the positive things in our lives, rather than the negative. After all, a joyful heart is good medicine, bringing healing.

I AM THANKFUL:
FOR THE WIFE
WHO SAYS IT’S HOT DOGS TONIGHT,
BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME,
AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE.

FOR THE HUSBAND
WHO IS ON THE SOFA
BEING A COUCH POTATO,
BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME
AND NOT OUT AT THE BARS.

FOR THE TEENAGER
WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES
BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME, NOT ON THE STREETS.

FOR THE TAXES I PAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM EMPLOYED .

FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.

FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.

FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE

FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING,
WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING,
AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME .

FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING
I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT
BECAUSE IT MEANS WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH.

FOR THE PARKING SPOT
I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING
AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION.

FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM WARM.

FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH WHO SINGS OFF KEY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I CAN HEAR.

FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR.

FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES AT THE END OF THE DAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.

FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE..

AND FINALLY, FOR TOO MUCH E-MAIL
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE FRIENDS WHO ARE THINKING OF ME.

Posted: September 25th, 2009 under Healthy Spirit.
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My dear sister Betty just visited me from Australia, where she’s been living for the past two decades. It was great to be able to spend some time together, telling jokes, checking out food haunts, talking about things that really matter, and praying for each other. We spent several hours at my sister-in-law’s ocean-front apartment a few days ago, just lounging around on the balcony and enjoying the view. It was so therapeutic.

Yesterday, her last day here in Singapore, we attended church together and laughed ourselves happy during the sermon. My senior pastor’s a really funny guy. He really knows how to bring the Bible alive. Everybody looks forward to Sundays at New Creation Church, known for its refreshing, joyful and uplifting services. The musicians and the singers get you on your feet clapping and dancing, the messages are powerful and encouraging, and the jokes crack you up. Sunday services give us the boost we need to face each new week.

No wonder Betty likes to visit my church every time she’s in town, and she’s always asking me to send her the recordings of the pastors’ (there are several) messages. Fortunately, New Creation Church broadcasts to the US, Australia and Africa and DVDs and CDS are also available online, so people across the world can also be encouraged and strengthened wherever they are.

Laughter is medicine for the spirit, so my church takes joy very seriously. We even have a “ministry of laughs”. As Pastor Joseph Prince said yesterday:

“A joyful heart is good medicine,
But a broken spirit dries up the bones”
(Proverbs 17:22)

He also shared this verse:
“The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,
And a good report makes the bones healthy”
(Proverbs 15:30)

Spending time with my beloved sister and indulging in positive, happy activities has been good medicine for both of us.

Posted: September 21st, 2009 under Healthy Spirit.
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