The entire nation of Singaporeans and affiliates bade you farewell today.
The family and I stayed glued to the tv and watched the live telecast as you made your final journey from the Parliament House to the University Cultural Centre, passing through a number of landmarks which is of extreme significance to you along the way.
I felt heartened seeing Singaporeans from all walks from lives come together today, braving the heavy downpour just to catch a glimpse of your passing cortege, even if for just a few seconds.
Today, the skies were gloomy.
The downpour was heavy, it was as if even the heaven wept together with us as we say our final farewell.
It has been a dark and sombre week for the people of Singapore, as we lost our founding father, you.
Our national flag flew at half mast as we mourn the passing of a great man.
People everywhere rushed to the Parliament House/tribute sites just to pay our last respects to you.
Our national flag flew at half mast as we mourn the passing of a great man.
People everywhere rushed to the Parliament House/tribute sites just to pay our last respects to you.
On the first day where news of your passing was announced, I went to the tribute site at Bedok Town and stood there in silence for a few minutes, looking at the photo, and videos of you making powerful speeches. It still felt rather unreal then that you had left us.
On the second day, I woke up feeling normal and usual, until I recalled that it was mourning week and reality hits in once again. The feeling was horrible to say the least.
Third day of mourning week was the day you left Sri Temasek for Parliament house to lie in state for the next four days so that the public can pay their last respect to you. I remembered trying to watch the funeral procession through youtube that morning, but the server crashed.
That night, we bought a bouquet - we felt white roses suits you as it meant purity. We queued for 4 hours, didn't mind the long wait as it was nothing compared to what you have done for us. We penned down our condolences and passed our flowers to the guards before making our way in.
As I stepped in, seeing the coffin of you lying inside, It was hard not to accept the fact that you are already gone. As I walked past your coffin, my mind was blank. We bowed twice, the second time feeling sadder than before. I don't know how am I supposed to feel. Should I be glad that you are free from suffering, finally reunited with your beloved Choo, or should I feel sad that you will not be with us for the National Days that follow. I couldn't decide, but the aching feeling of loss and emptiness did not go away as the days passed.
The crowd at Bedok Town tribute area was massive on Friday night. Flowers and placards/boards lied every possible empty space. The overflowing amount of love that Singaporeans have towards you is immeasurable and admirable.
Yesterday, Dearie and I headed to the tribute site at Toa Payoh CC to take a final look at you, immerse in the sorrow and grief, penned down again in the condolence book, just because words are never enough, just like the level of gratitude we have towards you.
Today, as we observed one minute of silence together at the comfort of our home, we felt a deep sense of loss but at the same time gratitude towards you. As I recite the pledge and sing the National Anthem, I have never felt prouder to be a Singaporean.
I forgot when or how we started looking forward to your entrance at National Day every year, and it was always with a loud cheer followed by a standing ovation from the crowd, especially in the recent years as we saw you ageing but still turned up during National Day. It was so heartwarming and I will never forget that moment when the entire nation cheered for you. I bet you feel the proudest on the 9th August each year.
You are like the nation father that nurture us to who and what we are today. Without your leadership, Singapore will not be able to transform from a mudflat to a thriving metropolis today. For this, no amount of thank yous is enough.
Now as I look around Singapore and the legacy you left behind, I can't help feeling thankful for everything. I will no longer take all this comfort for granted because it is all due to your sheer hardwork and labour that we have whatever we have today.
I am glad you led a fulfilling life and achieved whatever you set out to achieve. And I am immersely grateful that I am born in a generation where I can get to know you as the key person of our founding fathers.
Even though you are gone physically, but your devotion and love towards this country till your very last breath is incomparable and irreplaceable, and the values and principles you have left behind is etched into our hearts.
Everything will most likely go back to normal from tomorrow onwards, but a part of us Singaporeans will always remember you deep in our hearts.
Farewell, Mr Lee Kuan Yew.
Your legacy and spirit will live on through us.
