Two years of pandemic have been faced stoically for a large part, apart from feelings of fear, especially before vaccination. Life alternated between serenity and worries - Lin and Michele in Dubai, Chien in Spain, Wan in Kursk, Khing in Singapore; whilst KH, Jean and I were here.
There have been many firsts since March 2020 till now. Life had been heady after retiring in December 2019, and the lockdown forced me to stop in my tracks. How apt that my ex-students, Ci En, Choi Yee and Zhi Jing should give me the book titled "The Things You can See Only When You Slow Down". For the first time, I saw our common kingfisher in the backyard. Chien was right all these years!
I had always been running around getting things done at exhausting pace. Suddenly, I did not know how to adjust myself to having so much time in my hands. I was going overboard with our home, and smothering the only loved ones within reach - KH and Jean. In my mind, each hour should be filled with some sort of action. The sudden standstill from the lockdown provided the space for me to look inwards, which in turn, brought many things to the surface. It was a much needed respite I did not even know I needed.
Life does sometimes hide gifts in the darkest places.
Lin and Michele got married on April 27, 2021 in Seychelles. None of us attended their wedding - it was the height of lockdown, we could not even travel out of 10 km parameter of our home. It was a rush job, but KH and I really wanted them to make it official, especially with countries closing their borders at short notice. She is our first daughter to get married, and we never imagined it would be without us by her side. Anyway, I am so happy they got all the works done - the white dress, the suit, video and pictures. They decided to follow their hearts to celebrate the moment fully. We will eventually celebrate as a family, when the time is right. In the meantime, we rejoice in our beautiful young couple's happiness.
Chien returned home for good from Toledo. We had half hoped I would go to Spain to help her return or settle in, if she could get a job somewhere in Europe. It was nerve-wracking, waiting for her to clear the tests and procedures to reach home after two weeks of quarantine in Ibis Hotel on 14 July 2021. Chien very quickly found her footing in our country - she picked up where she left for Spain, and seemed to have gained a new maturity and grace.
Khing returned on VTL flight from December 4, 2021 till January 4, 2022. Travelling during pandemic is harrowing for everyone, especially those waiting at home. Really, the waiting is the worst part. Nanyang has been very strict about attendance, and it could be disastrous if she could not return on time. Fear was compounded by the cancellation of sale of new VTL tickets. It was with bated breath that we waited for her to reach her campus safely. Like it or not, she is and always will be the baby in our hearts. In the two years we were apart, she has blossomed into a beautiful young lady.
Time and tide wait for none. How I wish I could freeze time - with my children who warm my heart, KH, my family and friends, and so many people past and present who make life so complete. This pandemic is a constant reminder how short life is, and how wide the world is.
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