SOMEWHERE IN THE DARKEST NIGHT A CANDLE GLOWS

It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the Light “ – Aristotle. 

I remember the dinner we had with friends on January 9^th 2020. Heng Kiet’s ageing mother-in-law lives alone in Wuhan, the epicentre of the pandemic.

17th November 2019

Wuhan was in total lockdown and Kiet’s wife was in despair. We arrogantly argued that Covid-19 was nothing more worrying than the flu bug. Exactly like someone else, we laughed, “Tell your wife don’t worry-lah, it’ll go away.” How presumptuous we were! Covid-19 is still as virulent today as it was in January.

The world waited anxiously for IT to go away. We have realised now that this pandemic gave us the opportunity look within ourselves. To reflect and do the things we never made time for. To focus on positive changes, first for ourselves and later perhaps for humanity.   Lions clubs NEVER stopped serving the communities - packing masks, groceries for homes, and collecting

donations.

To keep our bodies healthy, our dedicated qigong “lao shi” (teachers) were inspirational  with FOUR daily zoom sessions: 6am – 9am, 10am – 12pm – 2 - 4pm and 8 – 10 pm.OUCH, it is too much for me but I TRY. That's me, the blue bird. My video was off as I was probably taking a coffee break!

Buzzy Boey’s acts of kindness for others –  creating T-shirts  and her incredible Celtic art to cheer us on.

My childhood friend, Kim Lian maintained the spice and vegetable garden her daughter started – brazil spinach, aloe vera, Thai basil and a wonder plant for curing the most persistent coughs (Chinese medicine). Kim Lian also bakes and this 

carrot cake was for her son, Bernard. Why is she so productive, I am disgusted!

Avid gardeners, the Liews have been harvesting their "jambu air" (water guava).

Alan has his flourishing indoor/outdoor garden upstairs on the balcony

Kim Lian’s neighbour, Mr. Tan, continued his dog breeding business and produced a litter of pit bulls, above are Sunny and Cloudy.

Even confined to our homes,  online platforms have allowed 

Ms. Puah to attend online conferences and fulfill her annual KPI (Key Performance Index for promotion and salary increment).

  Next on Ms. Puah's agenda is the Coronavirus Virtual Run. 

 Hmm, interesting concept to do an armchair marathon, "Like this-ah, I also can run lah."

The Wees in Melbourne adopted a lost pied cockatiel who just flew in 7 days ago. They reckon Pipi is a Spring chick with its annoying whine  when it wants attention. But every now and then Pipi comes out with a nice chirp. 

But Pipi could not stay long, maybe it was sick and passed away just this morning.

 My friend Connie, after 15 years of working at her dinning table, finally cleared her desk. No more spilled stewed pork, oyster sauce chicken and soups on her laptop anymore. 

One day we hope to remember this coronavirus era and say,

 “2020 was not a wasted year. We beat Covid-19 and survived it OUR WAY.”