The Year That Was

It is always at the end of the year that I feel what Charles Wesley meant by "lost in wonder, love and praise" more than I feel this way at any other time of the year.

365 days in the news. Top 10 - whether winner or loser - of the year. We really got a year that the press people will love for a long time..

The first black president ever in America. The worst financial crisis in decades. Record-high oil prices, followed by record drops. Add to that 100-year floods in the Midwest and history-making achievements at the Olympics, in science and in space.

As the New Year sets in, it is time to reflect. Thoughtfully. Thankfully. In details. At length.

It has been a year of ordinary things, yet each one was momentous - the works, the family, loved ones and friends. But all these ordinary things have turned into spiritual encounters and my reason to be thankful to God for walking with me. Even if it was only bread, coffee and egg for breakfast have been beautiful.

Squeezed between these ordinary things, there were many other charms.

The Church celebrated its Golden Jubilee. I set up this blog and have been truly blessed with sharing of words and pictures. Then, we embarked on a spiritual journey of 40 days. Abundant blessings have been received for reporting and sharing words and pictures in this blog too.

I have walked the streets of Ho Chi Minh City. I have cruised the Mekong River. It was an extended, unhurried leisure yielding rich benefits and deep insights.

I have strolled through the mountain pathway of Poring Hot Springs and National Park, Kota Kinabalu. I have taken careful steps in a canopy walk. It was taking time to stop and listen.

I have watched Rachel and Chris souring like seagulls while I was in a speed boat at full throttle. It was my first lesson of letting go and prepare myself to support her with "wind beneath her wings" to fly soon. Soon, very soon!

I have bagged the prestigious Shell Kenyalang Press Awards - Winner in Health Reporting - together with my many other journalists. It was more than an "Award" of cash and certificate, I proudly took it because I "walk my talk" on health.

I have also walked the Christmas Round Town Procession together with the Girls' Brigade. Though I did not walk well and have yet to recover from the sprained ankle, I finished the walk.

But, I did not do all these alone. They were many loved ones, friends, even strangers, and even friends here in this blogsphere who have walked with me in those many momentous events! I like this story very much, about a boy and a tree..

Once there was a tree and she loved a little boy. And everyday the boy would come and he would gather her leaves and make them into crowns and play king of the forest.

He would climb up her trunk and swing from her branches and eat apples. And they would play hide-and-go-seek.

And when he was tired, he would sleep in her shade. And the boy loved the tree very much. And the tree was happy.

But time went by. And the boy grew older. And the tree was often alone.

Then one day the boy came to the tree and the tree said, “Come, Boy, come and climb up my trunk and swing from my branches and eat apples and play in my shade and be happy.”

“I am too big to climb and play,” said the boy.

“I want to buy things and have fun. I want some money. Can you give me some money?”

“I’m sorry,” said the tree, “but I have no money, I have only leaves and applies. ?Take my apples, Boy, and sell them in the city. Then you will have money and you will be happy.”

And so the boy climbed up the tree and gathered her applies and carried them away.

And the tree was happy.

But the boy stayed away for a long time …. and the tree was sad. And then one day the boy came back and the tree shook with joy and she said, …..

The beautiful story continues … until the Boy took all the tree can offer for him to have money.

And after a long time the boy came back again. “I am sorry, Boy,” said the tree, “but I have nothing left to give you - my apples are gone, my branches are gone, you cannot swing on them, my trunk is gone, you cannot climb… I am sorry, I wish that I could give you something… but I have nothing left. I am just an old stump. I am sorry….”

“Well,” said the tree, straightening herself up as much as she could, “well, an old stump is good for sitting and resting. Come, Boy, sit down. Sit down and rest.”

And the boy did.

And the tree was happy.

How many of the giving trees have there been in my lives and in particular, 2008? How many have helped me to grow? How many have been so kind and sacrificial so that I could reach beyond what I can do?

There are many. If you are reading this, you are one of the giving trees in my life. And I thank you!

I am thankful that I can still give, little that I have though!

To one and all - May the new year brings you added joy and good health!