18 Feb 2009 – Life is fragile

My condolences to my nephew John LAM & family for the loss of his father-in-law and to Shakib Gunn’s family. Shakib’s sudden death is distressing and the first time I have experienced a Muslim funeral. He died yesterday morning and was buried in the afternoon. The Muslims cleaned and wrapped their dead in linen and after prayers, they are buried straight into the ground.

SG and I crossed paths at Hagley & Hoyle. He was both the art director and copy writer since the beginning of the company and has the best penmanship I have seen; English, founding member of the SIN Kite Association, married to a local muslim Malay lady and converted to Islam. He leaves behind his wife, a daughter, a son-in-law and 2 grandsons. The last time I saw him was at H&H’s Christmas scrumptious lunch where he was explaining how to pull the table cloth without stirring anything on the table. SG, thank you for crossing my path. Will miss your H&H visits. 

Last night, Lawrence requested for a family dinner and meeting at Leslie & Ivy’s. Planning to take Lawrence for beef noodles at Purvis Street, one of my favourites (especially the soup) tonight. Wanted to also introduce him to the SIN Flyer but unfortunately the weather is too hazy. Life is fragile, so enjoy and cherish every moment of it.

Respect for the fragility and importance of an individual life is still the mark of an educated man – Norman Cousins