Lesson 1: Children
I seldom had the opportunity to observe the environment around the Penang Hospital quarters as I was always too busy that I come home just before 8 or I was too tired that I just go back and sleep or in a rush to go out to have dinner.
But today, thanks to my flu that has yet to resolve, I was able to do so.
As I was standing in the kitchen, I could hear little children laughing and running on the badminton court. So innocent, so oblivious about everything that happened outside their little world. I could feel joy creeping up as I listened to them...
But at the same time; I remember Gaza, I remember Palestine, I remember all pictures and videos that are posted every second on Facebook and on the internet. It really dawned on me, Malaysians have a lot to thank for, to be grateful for, but I am not sure how many really do. I am also not sure how many really learned the lessons from the war.
When we are all busy discussing about Gaza, Zionism, Palestine, busy posting pictures of dying children, dying families, I just want to bring us back to our own little country, Malaysia. Not that I think very little of our brothers and sisters in Palestine, it's just I also find that we have much to think about what is currently happening in our country.
Browsing through pictures of fathers and mothers kissing the forehead of their dead children, it made me think of how many Malaysians actually kiss the forehead of their children as they go out to work? Or before their children go to sleep? Tell them they love them, tell them to be good and choose a good friend, tell them that they will always be proud of them and as mother/father kiss their forehead, pray to God that their children will be a successful, good and thoughtful human being. (And as for Muslims; a good Muslim and Muslimah). I realized affection is not our strongest point and for some people it's hard to show. But try. It may be a simple act, but you'll be surprised of how a simple act can go a long way.
Then I think about how must the Palestinian parents hold tight of their children, afraid of not knowing where their children are and at the same time wonder if some Malaysian parents know their children where about, what their children are currently doing, who are their with? Often I see little children cycling around without observation of any older person and how irresponsible drivers drive very fast in housing area. And then, with Malaysia poor security and information system, how exactly do we know about paedophile actually lurking around for their prey. I will always remember the day when I learned that my close friend was raped, killed and thrown into a large drain only to be found the next morning by a villager. She was only 8.
Grim as it may be, my friend dead body was found, what about those kidnapped children that never were?
I also think of what type of entertainment Malaysian children exposed to. With unrestricted internet access and games, IPad, Samsung tab and computer... How come they are exposed with violence quite similar to the Palestinian children, when in Malaysia we are not having war? How come we have lots of shooting and killing games but little of educational games? Where did the fun Mathematical adventure games that I used to play go? Why aren't Malaysian children encouraged to learn when they actually have the opportunity and have a proper school when Palestinian children's school being targeted and destroyed?
We have a lot to question ourselves and to think about. I know that this may not be true to all parents and also know that every parent trying their best for their children. I just need to share my opinion from observing both worlds as well as to remind myself because one day I hope to be a parent and once I become one I don't want to forget of what lessons I've learned in the time of war.
