My Merdeka Weekend

I had a busy Merdeka weekend as my kids were involved in the last leg of the ASUM/MILO/SportsExcel Junior Swimming competition. Yes, life is very much different since my two girls got into competitive swimming. Getting out of the house at 6.30am on Saturday and Sunday, and driving all the way to Cheras is not an easy task. The closest I got to the celebration and parade was when the planes and helicopters flew overhead with the state flags. Yes, that was it! That was (the official) Merdeka celebrations for me.

With political uncertainty and frustration from being called a "squatter" in the country I am born, grew up and have a valid citizenship, has slightly definitely dampen the spirit of the celebrations. I kept wondering what's happening to our country and our leaders? Merdeka celebrations is slowly becoming a bore - same parades over the past 50 years to demonstrate and display patriotism is becoming a jaded affair, the celebrations is moving into purely, an event - devoid of spirit.

While the celebrations has become somewhat stagnant, it is heartening to know that Merdeka spirit itself is still strong - at least at the swimming stadium. In the same swim meet, people of all races came together for the purpose of winning, or at least better their times. There was no distinction as to their race or religion. We were all swimmers, Malaysian swimmers, with their officials, parents and supporters. We did not need to be conscious about the differences, we were colour blind. In another children activity held recent, parents all gathered to watch the stage performances of their children. Again, they were not bothered about race, religion or whatever our political leaders ask us to. We were just there. We were there for our children, through our children we could see through the differences and concentrated on similiarities. One thing, I have learnt is that as long as we think of the future of our children, there is much hope.

Perhaps the most important lesson on Merdeka comes from vour children, they naturally learn to appreciate anyone. We the adults are the ones, who teach them to divide and to tolerate one another. It'stime we stop this charade. Learn to appreciate one another as our kids have done.

HAPPY MERDEKA! Everyone.

Random Thoughts