A thought-provoking incident....

~Roller (new nick for a new year :))

Hi guys..

Firstly, thanks SuperG for a Superpost! You have a gift of speaking in unique ways (hidden messages) and yet getting the message across so succinctly :) You should consider writing a book!

Anyway, my trip to China was made a little more significant because of a call i received just a few days into my trip...

I was walking along the streets in Zhu Hai, about to enter into a big shopping centre when my handphone rang and the name which appeared on my screen was a 'not-that-close' client whom I had not met for more than a year, and who was stationed overseas during this period. As she spoke, I felt that something wasn't quite right. Her boyfriend had been admitted into hospital for an operation and she had asked me to help check if he had another insurance with my company. I didn't know her boyfriend....i initially thought that it was a small operation (the 1, 2-day type of stay). As we spoke a little bit more, without me probing too much, I found out that he was in a critical stage of cancer, something that happened so suddenly. He wasn't able to walk or talk...and just 30 years of age.

As I heard her voice over the phone, it sounded as if she was fighting back tears...I didn't dare to ask too much more, and decided to just accede to her request and update her again.

I was left dumbfounded as i hung up the phone. I stopped in my steps for that split second, my mind flooded with thoughts of how anyone so young could have cancer. I was quiet, my mind far away for at least the next half an hour. I had never known she had a boyfriend...but I felt comforted that I could at least be of some help to her. I dropped her an sms to tell her that I would be praying for him and the family. She smsed back with deep appreciation.

I gave her a call this afternoon to check out how her boyfriend was. Her answer was quick and exact: "Not good"...Again, i was lost for words, unsure of how best to show concern. I asked what cancer it was..she paused a bit, and then said briefly 'Brain cancer'. I didn't know how to reply...and in my heart was wondering if i should have even asked her that in the first place. Did I sound like a kpo? Did i make it more painful for her by asking that? I asked which hospital, but it didn't sound like she was too excited to tell me, let alone visit. I'm still wondering if I should pay him a visit, because my gut feel over the phone was that she wasn't too comfortable with me asking too many questions.

I hung up, once again, my mind filled with thoughts....cancer...brain cancer...30 yrs old. My first concern as an adviser was if he had insurance...so that at least financially the family could tide through this period without even greater worries than they already had. My next concern was if he knew where he was heading if things turn for the worst....

more thoughts started to flood my mind...the fragility of life once again struck me....
We never know what can happen to us....or to our loved ones....what if this happened to me? Or to my loved ones?

I ask myself: why is it that we only think of these important things when such things happen? Do we take our loved ones, oikos for granted? Or do we truly treasure every moment with them and enough to share with them the Good News they might never otherwise get a chance to hear.....