for one more day

I wanted to write about my trip initially. Perhaps it just fated to be written another time. It's my 3rd day in Krabi. I just received news that Siew Sze's mother passed away in a freak accident in Cameron Highlands.

I spent my entire day reading today. Reading a book by Mitch Albom "For one more day". At the beach, then I moved on to a coffee place when it got too hot.

It was by all means a touching book. I think I am pretty overwhelmed emotionally because someone died in an accident. I always thought that accidents only happened in news and will never occur to anyone who's close to me. Until today. The deceased maybe Siew Sze's mother. Someone whom I probably never met all my life. But somehow, it affected me like it's my own mother's accident.

The book was about a son's ability to spend one more day with his mother. Nobody would like their mother being taken away from them so suddenly. You need time to say good bye.

For me, I am one hell of a self- centered person. If I get a chance to choose, I would want to leave fast. No need to say good bye, no need all the formalities. That's why I always feel bad whenever I am nasty to my parents. I may not show my remorse but my conscience do prick me. That fact is that they are going to be the ones that cry the hardest if I ever leave before them.

After taking up this offshore job, I realised that I am treating people around me better. I give more than I ever would. I guess it is the thought that I have only 1 month to spend with these people and it is important to me that if I were to die suddenly, at least I have zero regrets.

When I'm offshore, whenever I see Danilo in the mornings, he would always ask me if I had said "I love you" to my loved ones for the day. He didn't understand that Chinese don't say such stuff to their loved ones. I can only say all I want to say in writing here. And maybe one day, my parents will see these...

I maybe away from home most of the time nowadays. But I do keep you in my thoughts everyday. To me, nothing is more important than your health and safety. I would exchange all that I have got just for you to be safe and happy. Yes, without a word of complain at all.

To friends who mattered ( you know who you are):

Knowing each of u individually had been the greatest thing in my life. Seriously, you have in your own way taught me a lesson or 2 about myself. One of the most important things I have learnt after you all would be to treasure you and all the happy moments we had together. Because of your existence, you have taught me the meaning of empathy, hope, faith, trust, love, joy, commitment and harmony. These are life lessons that my parents alone could never teach me. And more importantly, you have taught me not to disappoint you people. Yup, that's my promise to you guys.