Its never easy saying goodbye...

Its never easy saying goodbye to people close to you and its especially painful if its unexpected. One minute we see somone full of life's vigour and promises of a future limited to only how far he/she is willing to go, while in the next we will never see the person alive.... ever again. It is truly heart wrenching and almost impossible to accept.

Today is the Memorial for the 5 heros that gave their lives for the sport that they so passionately loved and for our country. My friend sent me an sms yesterday, asking me to go for the memorial if possible and reminding me to wear my life vest and to watch out for others too.... he said that he has lost enough friends and do not want to lose anymore of his friends. I thought that was really kind of him. Unfortunately i had to work today, so i cannot attend their Memorial, but i will pray that they be happy wherever they are now.

Here is lyrics of the Song called "Remember me this way" by Jordan Hill from the sound track of Casper. I really like the part where they mentioned that we know somone cannot stay, but because they have touched our hearts, there will always be apart of them that will stay forever with us. I will always remember the 5 heros each time i step into a dragonboat and remember how their passion, talent and smiles made a difference in the lives of many. Their love for the sport will live on in the dragonboat fraternity and their passion for life will resonate with all those that had the fortune of knowing them and certainly with their team mates who had the honour of rowing with them. In ending i would like to make a wish and hope that their families and friends will find happiness in the days to come despite all the pain. I dedicate this song to everyone in loving memory of the National Paddlers Chee Wei Cheng, Jeremy Goh, Stephen Loh, Poh Boon San and Reuben Kee.

Every now and then
We find a special friend
Who never lets us down
Who understands it all
Reaches out each time you fall
You're the best friend that I've found
I know you can't stay
A part of you will never ever go away
Your heart will stay
I'll make a wish for you
And hope it will come true
That life would just be kind
To such a gentle mind
If you lose your way
Think back on yesterday
Remember me this way
Remember me this way
I don't need eyes to see
The love you bring to me
No matter where I go
And I know that you'll be there
Forever more a part of me, you're everywhere
I'll always care
I'll make a wish for you
And hope it will come true
That life would just be kind
To such a gentle mind
If you lose your way
Think back on yesterday
Remember me this way
Remember me this way
And I'll be right behind your shoulder watching you
I'll be standing by your side in all you do
And I won't ever leave
As long as you believe
You just believe
I'll make a wish for you
And hope it will come true
That life would just be kind
To such a gentle mind
If you lose your way
Think back on yesterday
Remember me this way
Remember me this way

[ Lyrics provided by www.mp3lyrics.org ]

Some random thoughts related to Dragonboating.

Its been a rough week thus far, at work and at home ( trying to study for my coming Exam this Sunday) and it did not help that i kept thinking about the 5 dragonboaters that "moved on". I have been following the news about the 5 dragonboaters really closely and visting their facebooks, links and blogs about them online. I was moved by Reuben's beautiful music and read the words left behind by their loved ones. It was almost like i was trying to get to know them before the last traces of their existence fades away for good.

This is really hard to understand. When i used to see them at the pontoon at Kallang, it never occurred to me to go over to say hi or even give them a smile should they happen to look my way. I am begining not to understand myself, ever more so as i grow older. "Why so much emotions over people you hardly know?" i asked myself, but so far i have been unable to give myself a satisfactory answer.

Dragonboating was a sport i took up with the intention to just "keep the fats away", but the sport grew on me. I capitivated by the comaradrie that developed between members in the team, the common emotions we shared ---- the dissappointment of failures, the joy of success and the strength that we drew from each other. I never knew it was possible to feel this close to people that was not part of your family. I had never done competitive sports and the experience that dragonboating offered me was nothing less than magical. It was something to look forward to after a tough week at work and that was what kept me going for a long time, weekend after weekend. Only those who have experienced this for themselves can understand what this feeling embodies and what it means to be part of a dragonboat team. I guess this is the main reason why many in the national team was willing to go the distance for the sport and for the 5, they made the ultimate sacrafice in the name of the sport.

As with all good things, it will come to pass. I had to forgo the sport to persue my dreams and persuing them i am. If i say that i do not miss the days of rowing under the hot sun on Kallang river with my team mates then i would be lying. I met my friend in the gym a few months ago and he asked if i was still rowing, i said no and his reply was... "what a pity...." I asked why his answer was simply.... "Because its a pity you had to give up something you enjoyed doing." I was unable to say anything for a moment and for that moment there was this awkward slience amongst us. I snapped out and gave a answer... "Well, i can always pick it up again later in life.". It almost sounded defensive.

I am sure that someday i'll be back at Kallang and my paddle will taste the waters of Kallang again. Dragonboating has already become an integral part of me, something that will stick with me till the end of my days. While i am not sure when or how, but i will be back rowing again someday and rest assured i will be back for more races and fun. Dragonboating is no longer an activity "just to keep fats away", it has become a part of me, one that i know will grow to form a significant part of how i view my life in due time. Mean while... here's to everyone out there.... "I'll be back!" haha. :D

Blogging again?

I used to blog when i was in my university days but i lost interest amid all the work and hustle and bustle of my daily life. I figured it was more important chasing after my dreams than telling the whole world what i have been doing, or what i have done. Some call this being focused and goal-orientated but the recent event made me think twice... It made me think.... in my persuit of my dreams have i missed out the important things in life? Have i taken time out to admire the strength of the fragile flower growing by roadside? Have i taken time out to spend with my parents and family? Have i been spending time with who matters most in my life and have i been keeping contact with my friends that i hold so dear?

The recent Dragonboat accident in Cambodia has reminded me that there is no consistency in life and i would like to keep something behind or at least let my friends know what were my brief thoughts and actions should i meet with an unfortunate accident. Therefore i decided i should start blogging again.. maybe briefly, but it will be a place where i can post some of my thoughts and pictures of my life for my friends and hopefully that will reduce the distance amongst us.

Going back to the Dragonboat accident again... My heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the 5 national rowers who sacraficed for the glory of our country. I do not know them personally but i have seen them many times at Kallang river and for the small dragonboat community, it is a great loss. I pray that their friends and families will find the strength to move on in life.. moving on to find happiness and hope... for i know those 5 would have wanted it to be so. Somone once told me... "After the pain and the tears, life still have to go on. We cannot change reality, but merely adjust our response to what has happened."

I pray for the 5, their families and their friends. Pray that they find happiness and the strength to smile again in the days to come. For with life, there will be hope and where there is hope... happiness is usually not too far away. Life MUST go on.