Just last weekend (3rd September 2011), I attended 2 CCA events. In the morning, was our very own Leo Club event - Into the World of Elderly. A simple, yet meaningful event to me. This event was aimed at elders of our community. Elders whom are lonely at their very own homes whom would sit at coffee shops, void decks, etc. I didn't like the feeling of doing nothing while the others were, so I went on to scout around the HDB for places that participants can have their chance to chat with elders. While scouting, I had my own opportunity. She was just standing at the corner of the void deck, grocery placed on the floor, seemed to be waiting for someone. I did not approach directly, or rather, I stood near, overlooking the marketplace, and there, she started conversing with me. Though short, I could tell she is a very friendly ah-ma. When her maid finally appeared after a while, she even offered me bread (of course I rejected with thanks), and she led me to an empty seat, telling me to sit while "waiting for my friend". It was a really nice morning and I hope that the participants had all enjoyed it too.
Later that day, Jaws, Grace and I went for Mid-Autumn Celebrations (Organised by BA Cares) with the Kids at the hobby room at the void deck of one of the HDB in Clementi]. The kids, were beyond what I could handle. There were kids whom would rip the paper lantern, it became a hat and got threw around the entire room. We engaged them in games, some simply refused to comply, the others seemed they were having fun. At the end of it, the kids got to play with match-lit lanterns & sparklers. The entire time, I was so worried that they would hurt themselves. Some were trying to use the sparklers on the sticks (handle of the paper lantern) and some were just swinging the sparklers everywhere. Couldn't bear to see anymore, my friends and I left for Clementi Mall. Turned out that the smoke from the sparklers are creating haze for the road users nearby. oh well. :x
Next up, two days ago (10 Sept), I went for another Mid-Autumn Festival Celebrations, this time, with the elders at Lions Home for the Elders (Bedok), a collaborative project between Lions, Leo Club of SRC & Leo Club of NP. As usual, I was at a loss for words, I didn't know what to talk to the table of elders I was at. Then one of the participants came to my rescue, she managed to talk to one of them, but the elder started talking about how Mid-Autumn Festival was to be spent happily with family at home, that she know of our good intentions but just so sad to have us there instead of her family. She didn't want to participate in the programme, she said she just came down, to have lunch and wanted to go back to her bed after that. Tears welled up in her eyes and I could feel her sadness. I did up a pretty lantern for her, though I know, the sadness in her will stay within, and nothing but her family would be able to really make her day, but I just hope the presence of the lantern won't make her feel more sad. It's a lesson to learn, to never abandon your family members like this, for we'll all grow old someday, so don't do to others what you don't want others to do to you.
