I know, this topic is still raw.
It's too soon to even mention it.
A lot of people lost a dear friend, when he passed on yesterday.
He was my primary school classmate, who i believe had been strong enough to not only battle cancer for years, but also to keep positive amidst all the pain.
Only him and god knows what he really feels inside, but the fact that he still kept the smile on his face is just amazing.
Last year, one of our primary school classmate passed too, at the tender age of sixteen, due to heart failure.
Both guys were people who impacted us one way or another.
I had seen both guys in class, making everyone laugh with their joy and enthusiasm.
I understand how tough these news are to deal with.
When i first heard the news last afternoon, I was stuck in a traffic jam on the way home from school.
I was silently grunting about how the traffic was moving so slowly, when I got a text.
The first thing I did was to take a deep breath.
And then i brought my hand to my chest, and feel the steady heartbeat.
Huh.
Can you ever, ever imagine, not being able to do that anymore?
Can you ever imagine, not being able to see, to hear and touch, to feel?
Because I can't.
And i doubt anyone ever can.
I mean, it all seems too far fetched, doesn't it?
But these events, these events are just reminders of how short life can be.
How everything can be taken away from you in a flash.
Both my friends...-
I don't even know where to start.
You know how tough it is, to even think about death?
Especially when one passes at a young age?
They barely managed to enjoy their teen lives.
Their dreams, their hopes and aspirations,-
remains that; a fantasy.
Whatever we've been dwelling about all day and night, whether it be wondering if we can even enter into a university, or when you will meet your future spouse, will never come for them.
They don't get to name a future child.
They didn't get to travel the world.
They didn't get to do all the things that they ever wanted.
But let me tell you something.
When you're in their shoes, the only thing you will ever want is to live another day.
To be able to wake up and see the people you love for one more day.
To be able to breathe the air.
To feel something.
Pain, whatever.
Atleast they're signs that you're still alive and fighting.
Sometimes you will feel like it's for the best.
No more pain.
No more burden.
No more uncertainties.
No more troubling others.
But when you really think about it- life, you will want nothing but to be given the chance to bounce back, be healthier, and stronger.
The only assurance we can get, is by reminding the people around us, that we love them.
Being afraid or ashamed to show affection is stupid, because those are really unspoken means of showing love and care.
Thank them, for being who they are.
Thank them for impacting your being.
Thank them for everything they have ever done for you.
And pray for them.
Pray that they will be blessed with a long, fruitful and blissful life.
Pray that your love for them will last through trials.
And at the end of this all, you will find that there's barely space for regret.
And for now, goodbye is not forever.
Goodbye means: Until we meet again.
What do we remember them by?
What do you want people to remember you by?