Sombre new year

"New Year eve bash cancelled in view of tsunami tragedy" The Star 30/12/2004

So, dashed are plans to catch the annual KLCC fireworks. Although, if further thought were put into it, it would be rather inappropriate to be celebrating when others are mourning.

Calls were made for all to pray for the tsunami victims. Offering spiritual solace, donating to the victims, providing whatever help possible - all very worthy ways of bringing in the new year. A new year, new deeds, new resolutions, new days ahead, a new beginning. The natural disaster threw everyone off their chairs (some more literally than others), and suddenly you realise how fragile life is. That whoever gave life to us has that very ability to take it immediately away. That family and friends should not be taken for granted (however cliche this sounds). That despite such selfish thoughts (i.e. never being able to see the beauty of Phuket again), all of us know now to treasure holidays more.

Disbelief and shock - when I read the SMS my sister sent me while I was shopping in Suntec City, Singapore, saying that 15 people had died in Penang from an earthquake. Earthquake? In Malaysia? Impossible!

Appears that the impossible became possible. Granted, it wasn't an earthquake, but the earthquake caused tidal waves which caused the deaths off Batu Ferringhi in Penang. Watching BBC in the hotel, the horrific pictures of dead bodies along Sri Lankan and Indonesian coastlines were enough to start you wondering if it were all some huge joke. Questions, questions, I'm sure you've got more running through your mind - like I did the past few days. I've read enough blogs and newspaper articles and broadcast websites to know that this disaster caught everyone unaware.

Question : What if today were your last?