Thursday, December 10, 2009

Candle in the Wind


Today's Smile Inducer : Being alive. We so often whine about the injustices life doles out on us. Looking back, sweetness would never have been as enticing if it had not been preceded by a tinge of bitterness. For that, I am ever grateful.

We were cruising along the highway when we were forced to slow down by a sudden crawl in traffic. Through my headphones, Michael Buble sang of home whilst I let out a silent curse at the lateness of the hour,the emptiness of my stomach. Anxious and impatient to get home, I looked out the window, having a good mind to bestow upon the cause of this jam a cold, angry glare. It was then that I saw them.

Two policemen, one wrecked motorcycle, one bodybag. There were no flashing lights, no hurried commotion, only the shattering silence that often accompanies the roaring unreality of tragedies. It was hard to believe that on this dark, lonely stretch in the middle of nowhere, someone had just drawn his or her last breath.

Somewhere out there, a parent, a child, brothers, sisters, or even a pet would soon feel the splintering pain of loss. There are no right words, or thoughts when life is snuffed out so suddenly. In that one moment of clarity, I found myself thanking God for second chances and life in its entity. It's sad really, that it takes a lifeless form to jerk one back to life.

I reached home to find dinner already set and ready. No longer ravenous, only one thought crossed my mind as I absently registered flavour, textures, layers :

I made it home safe, someone out there never did.

11 comments:

VanillaSeven said...

A very thoughtful thought. Indeed we must appreciate every single day given for us to enjoy this life.

conan_cat said...

aww, very thought provoking indeed! we really should treasure every moment, because there are people that are begging to be in our positions, it's a much better place to be, actually!

owl_order said...

sometimes we don't have to ask for much. maybe we already have all we really want.

smallkucing said...

Try not to think too much of it. It's part and parcel of life.

Anonymous said...

There's no time like the present.

Jean said...

aww so sweet their hug

A smile from SJ =)

suituapui said...

Yes, lovely post! Count our blessings and always give thanks that we're alive. I love J Lo's "ALIVE"...

Gabriel said...

yea, it's always the greatest blessing to make it back alive to meet our loved ones. and it's the best blessing to have our loved ones back alive as well! thanks for sharing. :D

Joanna said...

VanillaSeven : :)

Conan_Cat: I do agree! Better living than not :P

WenQi : I think we've always had what we want .. we were just looking at all the wrong things..

Cleffairy : How true :)

SJ : Haha, sweet eh? Loved the emotions so craftfully captured

Suituapui : We definitely need to start counting all the blessings :) And the song's meaningful

Gabriel : Hehe, true indeed!

Joanna said...

Kathy : It's both glorious and sad in a way too isn't it? That life comes in a package. You can't have one part without the other

prashant said...

Indeed we must appreciate every single day given for us to enjoy this life.

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