'He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; (miry clay in KJV) He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.' Psalms 40:2
On 23 Dec 2010, the Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr Lee Hsien Loong, and Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Teo Chee Hian, visited my father in hospital.
My father, then 84 years old, had been lying in a single room isolation ward for 10 days prior, suffering from a multidrug-resistant bacterial infection. Dad had been wheelchair-bound due to osteoarthritis in both knees making it too painful for him to walk. He also had early senile dementia, along with diabetes, heart disease, bad lungs, thyroid problems and colonic cancer in remission.
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| My Father and My Grandson |
The VIPs were on a fact-finding visit to the newly-opened Khoo Teck Puat hospital and upon hearing that Dad was in the ward, took a detour to visit with him.
Imagine an old man, trapped in bed with an intravenous line inserted into his arm, feeling depressed and very confused when who should walk into his room but the most important person in the country. That very kind gesture made my father's day.
The next day, he was perky and bright, talking about the visit to anyone who would care to hear. My family really appreciated what the PM did - he engaged in small talk with my father despite knowing that he was entering an infection-control isolation ward.
When someone grows old, not only does he suffer physical weaknesses and disabilities but more insiduously he finds that he loses his psycho-social skills. Gradually, he will lose his social status and becomes isolated and shut out from friends and family. This erosion of the sense of well-being is the most disconcerting change that I had observed in Dad in the last few years of his life. It affected both his pride and self-esteem. The rest of the world had moved on and left him behind.
During the days of the making of Singapore, Dad was a political and trade union activist. In 1954 he was the PAP convenor when the People's Action Party was founded. He was often not at home when I was growing up because he was preoccupied campaigning for workers’ rights and working with the leaders in fighting for the independence of Singapore.
In his latter years, he had been largely forgotten and alone, confined to a wheelchair and beholden to two maids who looked after his daily needs. It is sad to see how time and age can strip down a proud man and make him so vulnerable.
The next day, he was perky and bright, talking about the visit to anyone who would care to hear. My family really appreciated what the PM did - he engaged in small talk with my father despite knowing that he was entering an infection-control isolation ward.
When someone grows old, not only does he suffer physical weaknesses and disabilities but more insiduously he finds that he loses his psycho-social skills. Gradually, he will lose his social status and becomes isolated and shut out from friends and family. This erosion of the sense of well-being is the most disconcerting change that I had observed in Dad in the last few years of his life. It affected both his pride and self-esteem. The rest of the world had moved on and left him behind.
During the days of the making of Singapore, Dad was a political and trade union activist. In 1954 he was the PAP convenor when the People's Action Party was founded. He was often not at home when I was growing up because he was preoccupied campaigning for workers’ rights and working with the leaders in fighting for the independence of Singapore.
In his latter years, he had been largely forgotten and alone, confined to a wheelchair and beholden to two maids who looked after his daily needs. It is sad to see how time and age can strip down a proud man and make him so vulnerable.
Ecclesiastes 2:11 notes this great loss in despairing tones,
'Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.'
The VIP visit was brief. PM asked about his condition and they chatted briefly about old days of the political party. Then PM left. But this short encounter did wonders for my father. The PM’s visit left Dad feeling important and happy.
This reminds me of another brief encounter recorded in Luke 19:1-8. Zacchaeus, the tax collector, was a short person. He climbed up a sycamore tree so as to have a glimpse of Jesus as he was passing by.
Here was another man, an insignificant, non-descript entity amongst the crowd. His short stature made him unnoticeable. His was a tax-collector and was despised. All he wanted was to see above the crowd and watch the proceedings. However, that day was meant to be different for Zacchaeus. On reaching the tree where Zacchaeus was sitting, Jesus noticed him and invited himself to Zacchaeus’ house to spend time with him. This non-descript person suddenly became important.
Sometimes, a brief and everyday gesture of recognition can mean much to a person who is feeling unrecognised, insignificant and sorry for himself. One moment in time can become truly inspirational - a great blessing.
But that encounter more than 2000 years ago was different from any human discourse. It was a visit from God in Jesus Christ, the divine meeting the human. And the humanity in Zacchaeus recognised this. It was more than just a moment of importance for the short man who climbed up a tree for a better view, it was a life-changing experience.
We all have a chance at this wonderful moment when the love of God reaches down to us, a love that lifts us up (Love Lifted Me!)
I was sinking deep in sin
Far from the peaceful shore
Very deeply stained within
Sinking to rise no more
But the master of the sea
Heard my despairing cry,
From the waters lifted me
Now safe am I
Love lifted me! Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help
Love lifted me
Love lifted me! Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help
Love lifted me
Souls in danger look above
Jesus completely saves
He will lift you by his love
Out of the angry waves
But the master of the sea
Billows His will obey
He your savior wants to be
Be saved today
Love lifted me! Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help
Love lifted me
Love lifted me! Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help
Love lifted me
Lionel
Updated 1st Published on 12 Dec 2010
