This is home truly, where I know I must be
Where my dreams wait for me, where the river always flows
This is home surely, as my senses tell me
This is where I won’t be alone, for this is where I know it’s home

~ ‘Home’, lyrics by Dick Lee

Every time I hear the song ‘Home’ sung by Kit Chan, a wave of homesickness washes over me, and it’s especially so during Singapore’s National Day. I’m sitting in my flat in Hong Kong typing this and waiting to watch the National Day Parade live over the internet and feeling very nostalgic about Singapore which I still see as home. It’s the place where my family and closest friends are and where I’ve spent most of my life. Despite not living in Singapore at the moment, Singapore is always close to my heart. I still keep in close contact with my family and friends in Singapore and keep up with the news back home every day.

Watching the National Day Parade, hearing the familiar national day songs, seeing the hard work of our forebears and the everyday Singaporean being recognised, it reminded me that even though Singapore isn’t perfect, I’m still proud to be Singaporean. My wish for Singapore is that it becomes a society that is more compassionate and more accepting of diversity even as it continues to progress economically. Happy 49th Birthday and I love you Singapore!