We've enjoyed today - public holiday! Have spent the whole day at home - sorting out some of my stuff, shredded a lot of old correspondences, notes etc.
I recall reading the life of Hudson Taylor founder of China Inland Mission (now Overseas Missionary Fellowship or OMF). He would sort out his possessions once a year. What he had not used in that year, he gave away. He reasoned that if he had not needed something for a year, he saw no reason keeping it and someone else could have the benefit of it. I must admit I have not come to that stage yet, but it's good to get rid of some things.
In our younger days when we were doing Corps or pastoral work, we would spend public holidays visiting our folk. That's the day we found people home. Of course this generation is different. Some people go away for holidays overseas or just to Malaysia. Some visit the tourist sites.
We visited not only our own church people, but also our Malay friends during Hari Raya. It's great living in a multiracial society.
I recall visiting some of our Malay friends. Aziz who used to be the driver at our Headquarters always invited us to his home. Quite often he would insist on us staying for lunch. Malays are very hospitable people.
Another family we visited was Sapuan and his family. They owned two adjacent HDB flats - tore down the wall and joined the two units into one. What a big living room and two kitchens. So three generations lived under one roof! Sapuan used to work as a driver at the Girls' Home and he also drove the Social Services Secretary, Lieut. Colonel Grey. It was the only job he had for his whole life - a driver for the Salvation Army.
In those days, employees stayed a long time.
I grew up in Lorong Limau where there were quite a number of Malays. Next door to us was a Malay family who were very good to us.
Hari Raya, they would pass on to us some of the Malay cakes. We did the same and sent our cookies to them on Chinese New Year. The couple had five daughters. Wonderful neighbours!
A bonus for us Singaporeans - tomorrow is National Day, so two consecutive days of holidays! Aren't we privileged? Many have taken advantage of the long weekend to go away.
We enjoy staying at home. Home Sweet Home, there is no place like home.
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