Letter to the dead - Mr. Lee
Dear Mr. Lee
When I was a small girl, I had heard bad things about you. Not that I remember what they were about, but I recall that they had to be negative remarks, because my father never liked you. I even disliked you under the influence of my father, but without an intimate knowledge of the nation's history then.
When I got older, my relationship with my father turned sour. We never talked about you anymore. I began to take a neutral stand because I knew I was in no position to judge you without knowing enough what you did for the nation.
When my father was dying and in a delirious state, the last line he mumbled was not having caught you. I kind of gave up hope on him. For at his deathbed he did not ask about the well being of his family, nor about his siblings who had sided him in every ridiculous way possible, but he was concerned about his never-going-to-happen battle with you.
I did not spend hours queuing up to pay you my last respect. Nor did I watch any programmes that raved about your heroic political contributions. But that did not mean that I do not respect you. Many a time I stole a few minutes of glance as I walked past the television, I was swallowing my tears as I imagined how the people who have lost you must be feeling. Losses have never been easy to take. What's more, you must have been a great father, mentor, friend to many. The scene where you talked about your regret in the issue of the language policy often plays in my head. "I made a mistake," you said. It struck me how much courage you had mustered to admit your mistake. I wish everyone has that kind of courage. Hence, much as I sometimes wished you had not made that decision back then, I am glad you are one of those men who would boldly accept your mistakes and make an effort to change.
I have always been glad to be in this country and I thank you for all your contributions to make this place I am living in now possible. If anything, I hope you will be reunited with your wife in a better place and watch how we pass on your legacy.
Rest in peace.
GL
When I was a small girl, I had heard bad things about you. Not that I remember what they were about, but I recall that they had to be negative remarks, because my father never liked you. I even disliked you under the influence of my father, but without an intimate knowledge of the nation's history then.
When I got older, my relationship with my father turned sour. We never talked about you anymore. I began to take a neutral stand because I knew I was in no position to judge you without knowing enough what you did for the nation.
When my father was dying and in a delirious state, the last line he mumbled was not having caught you. I kind of gave up hope on him. For at his deathbed he did not ask about the well being of his family, nor about his siblings who had sided him in every ridiculous way possible, but he was concerned about his never-going-to-happen battle with you.
I did not spend hours queuing up to pay you my last respect. Nor did I watch any programmes that raved about your heroic political contributions. But that did not mean that I do not respect you. Many a time I stole a few minutes of glance as I walked past the television, I was swallowing my tears as I imagined how the people who have lost you must be feeling. Losses have never been easy to take. What's more, you must have been a great father, mentor, friend to many. The scene where you talked about your regret in the issue of the language policy often plays in my head. "I made a mistake," you said. It struck me how much courage you had mustered to admit your mistake. I wish everyone has that kind of courage. Hence, much as I sometimes wished you had not made that decision back then, I am glad you are one of those men who would boldly accept your mistakes and make an effort to change.
I have always been glad to be in this country and I thank you for all your contributions to make this place I am living in now possible. If anything, I hope you will be reunited with your wife in a better place and watch how we pass on your legacy.
Rest in peace.
GL
Comments
Post a Comment