Life is either a daring adventure or nothing

A Hero of Humble Beginnings

It was a sad Sunday this past weekend... received news that my eldest uncle passed away after a long battle with lung cancer. Although I wasn't very close to my uncle, but from all the stories which my dad used to share with me about their growing up journey... I believed my uncle was a hero in many way.... A great brother whom took care of his siblings, a humble man with all his acheivements, a dedicated husband/father to his wife and children and also a loving grandfather to his little grandchildren. He will always be remembered as a Hero.

Through the past two days of the wake, I had the opportunity to walk around with my dad in the Tiong Bahru estate where he, my uncle and rest of the family grew up in. Low rise buildings, 2 room flats and the ever famous Tiong Bahru market all lie around the region and a stone's throw away.

My dad brought me and my mum to Tiong Bahru market for dinner yesterday and told us that was the place where he and my uncle used to hang out and play. It also used to be the secret hideout of one of the most notorious secret society in Singapore during the 1960's. We journeyed across old Tiong Bahru estate with my dad's commentary on the significance of each area and all the childhood memories which stems from there. I went to the house which they used to stay in and was simply amazed at all the architectural design which dates back to the historical Singapore era. This was really a history lesson on the spot!

I was really in mixed emotions at the funeral wake... though I wasn't close to my uncle, but I appreciated this man who took care of my dad and fellow siblings... I gotten to know so much more about my family history and how they were brought up... but yet on the hand also sadden by the loss of a family member.

I dedicate this post to my dear uncle... A true hero from a humble beginning.. whom persevered and never grumbled through the tough journey of life. He may not have made big headlines in the news... but from what my dad shared, I know my uncle played a big part in my dad's life. He was a hero in everyway to my dad.

Life is fragile... people come and people go. The most important is how we live our lives in this journey on earth. Is it just purposeless and seeking thrills of life? Or with a purpose and leaving behind a wonderful legacy? =)