Ok, so yesterday’s blog entry was essentially a long rant, which I admit, is unbecoming. But hey, I’m no saint and one has to rant once in awhile, and for me, writing is cathartic. I got home around 6.45pm yesterday and cooked dinner for myself. That felt good. I cooked beehoon (rice vermicelli or 米粉) with some cabbage, onions and vegetarian ‘meat’ balls – simple stuff really, but I enjoy the act of cooking. It’s rather therapeutic having to mince garlic and chilli, chop onions and lettuce, and stir-fry all of that with the beehoon in a wok. For awhile at least, it takes my mind off other matters.
After dinner, I sat down to watch three episodes of the show ‘Joy Truck’《快乐速递》, a Mediacorp 8 production that highlights an individual, family or organisation with special needs and how volunteers come together to help these people. I watched episodes 4–6 last night and was very touched by the strength displayed by these people in need. Episode 4 featured an elderly couple who were very poor – the 73-year-old husband has to work as a cleaner to support his wife who needs to undergo dialysis three times a week. His S$750 monthly salary isn’t quite enough to support the both of them. ‘Joy Truck’ helped by cleaning up and repainting their home, installing a new toilet bowl, and getting a new sofa, washing machine and sleeping mattress for them. What was very moving was that though poor, the couple were still very loving and you could tell they were very happy to just have each other.
Episode 5 featured a former drug addict and convict who wanted to get help from ‘Joy Truck’ to renew his wedding vows with his wife who had stood by him throughout the years when he had been in and out of jail seven times. This was very sweet and touching in a different way. It was great seeing someone turn over a new leaf and bring joy, instead of grief, to the people he loved. His wife’s quiet dignity, strength and great love for him was also admirable. Episode 6’s beneficiary was a family who has a 14-year-old who suffers from a rare genetic disease that sees her remaining the size of an infant. Lung infections that developed subsequently now sees her having to be hooked up to an oxygen supply machine for 24 hours per day and be assisted in all her daily activities. In addition, she now has glaucoma which means that she may not be able to retain her vision anymore. ‘Joy Truck’ made a day in her life special by arranging for her to spend a night in a posh hotel and arranging for her TV idol, Qi Yuwu, to visit her.
Anyway, I was rather awash in shame by all my whinging after watching the show. I know it’s pretty awful that it takes the suffering of others to have myself reminded of the fact that others have it much worse. Some time last year, I had written that I should have a gratitude list. I need to revisit that. I also need to make sure I do more things that make me happy.
