Daily Lessons from Life 03 October 2010 - Mrs Lee Kuan Yew has passed away

AsiaOne Multimedia: 03 October 2010 "Mrs Lee Kuan Yew has passed away

Mrs Lee Kuan Yew, wife of Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew and mother of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, died on Saturday at 5.40 pm, said the Prime Minister's Office in a statement.

She was 89 years old.

Mrs Lee, whose maiden name was Kwa Geok Choo, was born in Dec 1920."

This is a sad news and a depressing trend for me on this blog as it is the 3rd day in a roll that I am commenting on what life can teach us in death!

2 days ago was about the suicide of a gay student in the USA after his gay encountered was broadcast live by his roommate and a university mate. A prank gone awry or one with anti-gay intention by fellow 18-year old.

1 day ago was about the needless loss of a young female Singapore medical student studying in Cambridge University, UK, being killed in a hit-and-run accident.

And today, the passing of Mrs Lee Kuan Yew, wife of MM Lee, and mother of PM Lee, after a long battle with the 2 strokes in 2008 that left her immobile and unable to speak. She has achieved much in her 61-year of union with MM Lee. The last few years had been most unkind to her and, in a strange way, some may say, it is a blessing that she has moved on. Of course, for some, it is still too early. Whatever it is, she has passed away peacefully at home.

Lessons for me are:

1. everyone will enter this phase of life journey. In the process of getting there, hopefully we have achieved what we set up to be. If we have not, there is nothing much we can do anyway. So, let it be when the end comes;

2. many people will have something to say about the one who moved on. It does not really matter if they are great praises or wicked criticisms as the deceased will not know about what had been said about him or her. As long as he or she knows that his or her life is lived to the best of his or her capabilities and doing good always, it is good enough!;

3. for those who had wicked criticisms but did not have the courage or decency to utter them when the deceased is still alive, it is best left unsaid. At least at this point of time as a respect for the person who had moved on. As with all great men and women, history will be the best judge of their achievements. History by all parties and the readers and listeners will make up their own minds as to what is what.

It is obvious that she had done her part for her family and Singapore.

May MM Lee and PM Lee be strong and continue to do what they must do - to stay the course or the change the course as they see fit given the stage the nation is in at this point in time of a dynamic development process.