One of my New Year
resolutions from four years ago was to do at least one unique kind deed for someone
every month. I’ve pretty much forgotten about the list of things I had done as
they had gone unrecorded. Nothing inscribed anywhere.
Nothing inscribed anywhere!
All I can recall now are
scant details of how I had, on several occasions, accompanied a partially blind
girl, E, for her medical checkups.
E’s frank sharing about her
household conditions, daily life and of a sibling who has to be
institutionalized left me feeling quite miffed with friends who keep flashing
their expensive handbags and whatnots each time we got together during our
rare girl-friend outings. Rare, because as much as I could, I would try to
avoid meeting up with my “Hey, girl friends!” at expensive eateries.
You won't see me here. I'm the least fashionable of 'em girl friends.
Another distant memory would
be that of spending time with Down Syndrome children. They are never devoid of
warm hugs and sincere smiles.
Work got into the way and
with familiar faces from these organizations either leaving or migrating (ie: new staff in the organization who don't recognize you), I
eventually stopped spending time with the visually handicapped and Down
Syndrome children. I would have to find time to rekindle my volunteering
efforts with these special groups of people one of these days. They have taught
me a lot, whether they know it or not.
In recent years, I have had
to go through many months of fear and worry when two family members were
diagnosed with cancer. One is currently recovering from a frightening Stage 3
cancer and has since gone back to conduct lectures, whereas another one is
managing each day as best as he could. The initial journey was harrowing and we
just have to appreciate each passing day before the next storm hits. It's impossible to describe the emotional stress the family has had to endure.
I was glad a friend recently
shared with me about her current involvement with the Singa Charity Medical, a
TCM*-based cancer and metabolic disease treatment centre for individuals from
the lower-income group.
Our priorities in life
change through time and I am truly thankful to the lady, SE, who has given me
the opportunity to provide whatever little assistance I could in this organization’s
upcoming fundraising event. Will write more about the event after 19 August 2016.
I'm also looking forward to visiting the Singa Charity Medical centre once I have settled some work matters these next few weeks.
I have made a personal lifelong commitment to helping the less fortunate (not that I'm any more fortunate than many others). My journey has been interestingly difficult thus far, but then all that's left are remnants of hope for me to still hold on to as I carry on.
*TCM: Traditional Chinese Medicine
