I think 1 negative thing about asian is that we dare not express our love to our dearest family members well. Ask yourself how many times do we give our parents a hug, how many times do we say "I love you mum" or "I love you dad". Its this simple gestures that warms them, but I believe they will feel a bit awkward at the end of the day. Its only when we are about to lose them, we start to find that time is running out. We doesn't have enough time to pay them the love they once gave. Here's a true story that I encounter today and I think I should really share it with everyone. Almost like a drama...
Leonard, 20, is my junior in camp. Always cheerful, hyper and hippy. However, lately I've seen the really downside of him. I remembered he once look for me to tell him some of his personal relationship problems and often seek advice. However, on Wednesday, he was extremely down. Right after lunch, he told me that he wanted to break up with his girlfriend because he doesn't feel the love exist anymore. However, I adviced him to hang in there for a couple of days, as I believe no relationship is perfect in this world. There bound to be the down side of it, and I perceived its just a stage he is experiencing now.
This morning, once again I see his swollen eyes. I believe he cried last night. A pad on his back, "How are you feeling today?" I asked. He shook his head, didn't mention a single word. I went for my run with my kakis and he was playing basketball with others. After the run, he went missing and I heard he hurt his eyes while playing the game. Immediately, I went up to bunk to check on his condition. I see him lying in bed, covering his eyes with his hands. I saw him sniffing and sobbing away in tears. Where's the hyper and cheerful L that I used to see? He cried endlessly, finally letting out that he broke up with his girlfriend previous night and his mum's is suffering from cancer for quite sometime. Lately it seems to relapse and may only have 2 - 3 years more to live. He told me "我很爱我的妈妈，而且我真得很需要她，可是为么...” (I really love my mum and I really need her, but why?) A question that I can't answer. To me, his world seems to have collapse all at once. It sure pains to see him cried this way. My heart sank and seems to be tearing inside with him too. Its just too much for a 20 year old boy to withstand every single blow, moreover, he's the only child. My words for him is that he have to remain strong, because right now, his mum needs him not vice-versa. His mum wouldn't be happy to see a tearing child every single day. At least give his mum an assurance that he will live strong and happy, even without her presence. Alot still depend on him, what I can do as a friend or as a sergeant is to give him the moral support he needs, give him 101% attention and listening ears he needs. Still, he holds the key to walk out of this darkness.
Treasure them, before you lose them for good.
An eventful day, almost speechless.
