I had lunch at Belisa Italia at Pulau Tikus with my boss,H and our mutual freind,Charles. This restaurant served the best italian food in Penang and their signture selection is their salad and spheggati. When I saw charles, I was shocked to find him losing so much weight. He was slow to warm up to the occasion and once, he recognized the songs played through the sound system, he will sing along and he will become more chatty. I have not met him for many months since our last lunch at Zhao Chow Restaurant in Prai. He was much fatter and was witty and funny at that lunch.
On the way to the restaurant, my boss H told me that Charles have lost his sister lately. According to him, she was a healthy retired school teacher teaching PE. She was well all along but suddenly fell ill and she died because the medication was not suitable for her. It happen within a short time. Charles was devastrated and shocked. He fell from heaven to hell for a long period of time. H asked me whether I understand this feeling. I told him I do and I understand the deep hurt and saddness. It we see it coming and we are mentally prepared, then it will be less torturing. Well, in fact, either way the trauma is going to be painful. It depends on how we take it and letting it go.
I remembered the passing of my elder brother from heart attack. He has symptons of a mild haert attack and he knows that his arteries were block and he has booked his turn for a by-pass but he died before his turn for the operation.It was already 12 years ago but the memories stays forever. The sudden lost affected us silently and deeply and it gets rooted in our mind. That is life and once awhile, the memory float up and disturb us in the most unappropriate or appropriate time. That is life.
Charles was a devoted christian and in the moment of weakness, he doubted GOD. This is natural response because of the unnatural demise of her sister. I wonder he might be feeling and questioning why did it happen to her. There is no answer to it but it is destined. During my trip to South Korea, the tourist guide, Judy told us a strong of her good friend who died at an early age working hard to buy her dream home. She cried many times because she could have save her if she insisted that she go to see a Doctor when her friend told her that she is having pain in her stomach. It was liver cancer.
July might have her own agenda by telling us the story but she has a message to convey to us. The span of our life on this earth is never guaranteed. It can be long and it casn be short. Live for the moment and do whatever we want to do and enjoy it at the same time. Go places and travel widely. Never be unfair to ourself and treat ourself with the best things that we can afford.
It was a very wise message to us and in the end, we spend a huge sum of our money on the ginseng herbs and special herbs for our liver. You may say that she was a very good sales person and she may get some commission from the shops but she make us spend our money on things that is good for us in the end. It maybe abit pricy but so, what if we can affort it. Yes, be fair to ourself, our next generation will know how to take care of themselves and survive. Don't work for them, work for ourself.
Charles will recover from his ordeal but the memories will remained. Time heals everything and perhaps, after this incident, he will realized that the experience is a challenge for him or another dharma exercise to make him realize that life is fragile and not guaranteed and this will make him prepared to let go and eventually, go gracefully. Every step is destined and every foot print is a step in time. Be aware of each passing moment, you cannot catch it but you will realize that it is passing as you enjoy each beautiful breath.
Namaste.
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