SimonSimple

Hi People

I have transited from holding a full time job to being a full time homebody. I have yet to visit the TAJ MAHAL but I am on my TAJ - Third Age Journey, that is. If you were to ask me how I am coping in my new role - my simple answer is “I am generally managing”.

The first 2 weeks was not a good gauge of how I am adjusting to my new life since it was the CNY season - Chinese New Year holidays and all. But I tried to spend as much quality time as I possibly could with my second girl before she flew back to resume her final year university studies in Sydney. We went to church together and I drove her to her frisbee games all the way in Sengkang. It was great catch up time.

I also enjoying driving my son to and from his camp. These frequent trips prompted him to ask why I was doing all this. My simple reply? His grandfather, my dad, was doing this when my brothers and I were doing our national service stints many years ago. I realised my dad was teaching us the value of building strong bonds between father & son.

A detour:

My first assignment since my early retirement was last night when I was invited to address some 23 couples on the Riverboat moored off Marina South Pier. The wives were all seated in one row and the husbands on the other side - much like Management & Union. It seems this comparison is not much off the mark. Like the Unions, wives make demands, and like Management, husbands have to accede to them. Anyway, the ice breaker was a riot. A makeshift curtain was drawn and the wives had to identify which foot belonged to their husband. The guys were not helpful at all. When it was the husbands’ turn to identify their wives’ hand, whole arms were thrust up with yells of “see, see my wedding ring” and “recognise the bracelet you gave me?” The wives didn’t want their husbands to be embarrassed. See the difference?

Back to my children:

Well early this morning, our eldest gift-giving daughter presented her parents with Valentine Day gifts. Mom got chocolates, brother got a hand massage device and little sister will get a cheque in the mail.

Daddy’s gift came with this message:

“Dear Dad,

Now that you’ve got time to read and are exploring the libraries, I thought these (book marks) might come in handy. Some nice verses for you to remember too. Thanks for your constant words of encouragement - here are mine!”

Here is a sampling of my valentine’s verses:

ROCK: To my rock. Dad, you rock! You are my rock! Keep trusting in the Lord to be yours.

TRUTH: To a truthful man. Always show the true you - you’re beautiful the way you are.

BLESS: To a man who blesses. Blessed is he who blesses others! Indeed you must then be very blessed!

I teared when I am reminded of the awesome joy and responsibility that come with being a parent. My daughter, my valentine. That’s a picture of her and her mom when she was a tiny tot. I just love my family!

God bless you & yours too.