Folks,
Do check out my article on the above subject-,here on
The Malayan Chronicles.
Even though I had to spend Christmas without the presence of my late
wife for the third year running, I was not alone when a handful of Good
Samaritans rallied around me and brought me for meals and presented me with
gifts. They all made my Christmas so special, so meaningful.
Some of them read of my loneliness through my press articles and were
deeply moved, while others felt it necessary to give from the heart, which is
the true meaning of Christmas. They all fully understand that recreation is so
important for those who are lonely.
There was Raymond Ong who treated me to a lovely lunch at the Singapore
Recreation Club, while Lawrence Quek and his wife Grace Goh brought me for a
pre-Christmas dinner at an upbeat restaurant in Somerset Road. Playing with
their lovable kids was such fun as I adore children. Jolene and husband Aaron
treated me to a pre-Christmas breakfast before they went on a holiday.
On Boxing Day, Michael Png and some of his friends brought pastries and
sang Christmas carols in my home. My youngest brother Terrence makes it an
annual tradition to give me some cash during the yuletide season.
At the opening of the new year in January, I can look forward to an
invitation to have a meal of my choice at a café run by a European lady who
recently became my friend on Facebook. Such Good Samaritans can so easily make
Singapore achieve its goal of being a caring, gracious, compassionate and
inclusive society.
Reaching out to the needy lifts the human spirit. Even though there will
always be people who prey on individuals’ prosperity and kindness to get money
through unethical means, it should not in any way discourage us from helping
the needy. This was so well expressed by reader Miss Lee Kay Yan in her letter”
(“Don’t let fear of scams stop us from helping others”, The Straits Times, Dec
24, 2016).
In opening our hearts, we need to distinguish between those who are in
genuine need of financial assistance and those who seize the opportunity to
make a quick buck. The less fortunate in our society should not feel ashamed to
reveal their heart-wrenching stories and seek help as there will always be
kind-hearted people who will be moved by those who live in the shadows of life.
The media has been doing an excellent job in raising awareness of the
marginalised in our society, and through this medium, many are getting the help
they so badly need – and that includes having a decent meal.
There are thousands of people all over the world who go through
hardships and sufferings, yet accept it as part and parcel of life. Take for
instance in the Philippines, where typhoons continue to damage homes and wreak
havoc to the Filipinos leaving many of us to wonder how they were going to have
a Merry Christmas (“Strong typhoon Nock-Ten is set to hit Philippines on
Christmas Day”, The Straits Times, Dec 23, 2016) We can all do a little to give
back to society – pay it forward, so to speak.
For my part, someday when the
opportunity arises, I would love to go and teach English to children of poor
families in the Philippines because having a good education is necessary to
build a strong foundation in life.
The Buddhists believe that the greatest gift that can be given to
humanity is when we share our true stories and give good advice and support to
help others.
RAYMOND ANTHONY FERNANDO
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