It’s Christmas, and Benedict Lopez counts his blessings for having a good neighbour.
Today is Christmas, and I received countless messages.
I appreciate all the messages from my friends and relatives wishing me on this auspicious day.
But of all these messages, the one I received from my friend in Christchurch was most poignant: “The joy of Christmas and New Year can begin. It is not a joy that everyone can experience. We are extremely blessed and privileged to be in a position when you look around the world.
“As we reflect on 2020, we are safe as we can be, thanks to the selfless work of many. We have learned this year to take nothing for granted, and to stop more often to say ‘THANK YOU’.
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“Merry Christmas! Have a safe festive season with loved ones far and near and may 2021 be your BEST year yet.”
A meaningful message which no one else had sent me.
In our joyfulness, we must not forget to be thankful for being far better off than millions of people around the world. Millions have been dealt a knockout blow, which even in their wildest dreams they never would have expected.
Masses all over the world have lost their jobs, while others have taken deep pay cuts. Millions now have to depend on soup kitchens for their next meal. Many more have to live on the streets in cities all around the world.
I am grateful that I am not one of the millions who have to worry about a steady source of income and can still enjoy the basic amenities in life. I also appreciate the other blessings in life, like having a good neighbour in Anil Kumar.
Just a few days ago, I had an unforgettable experience, which I think no one would have ever expected. At around 4.30am, I was locked outside as I came out of my back bathroom and could not open the kitchen door of my house. I was trapped outside, between my kitchen and the adjacent iron gate.
Although I had the kitchen door key with me, the kitchen door lock was jammed for some reason.
Our neighbourhood security guard was passing by, but he could not do much.
So I told him to call my neighbour Anil, who lives just behind my house.
Anil woke up from his sleep and came immediately from his house, bringing along a hammer and a screwdriver.
I finally broke the lock after about 10 minutes. I felt bad about disturbing Anil at that unearthly hour, but he understood perfectly.
Having a good and ever dependable neighbour like Anil is a blessing from God for me.
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
Hey Ben …. happy new year to you … I’ll be joining the ‘Pencen’ club in a couple of months. Perhaps you can share some pointers in your next article. Cheers.
Hi Aieda. Always good to hear from a dear colleague and friend like you. I wish you a very productive retirement. First thing you should do is go to Pasar Seni LRT and get a kad Warga Emas to enjoy the privilege of travelling at discounted rate.
I will try to pen my thoughts and share it with you. Take car and stay safe.
Thank you Loyal Malaysian for your Christmas and New Year greetings. There certain things in life which cannot be quantified in ringgit and sens and one of them is having good friends and neighbors.
And yes, its truly a blessing from God to have good friends and neighbors like Anil.
Good bless Malaysia and its good people.
Benedict, Belated Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Yes, it is true that we must count our blessings in the face of what we know as the very bad economic condition in our country in particular and world in general. Many are having to worry about how to get the next meal for themselves and their families.Those of us who are blessed must try to do what we can, in what little way possible to help those in need.
Yes, a good neighbor is a blessing, as well.
My neighbor can always be depended on to look after our house and garden when we had to go outstation for a while.
Dare we hope 2021 will be a better year than 2020?
We must, I suppose!!