Last week a beautiful lady died of Cancer.

Her name was Kim.

I knew her over twenty years ago when I lived in Brunie, and remember her as being a slim, attractive, thoughtful, kind, caring and creative woman with long straight dark hair.

Kim came from Hong Kong and was an inoffensive person, liked by everyone.  When I left the small oil rich state, she gave me a wooden junk ship. She told me it was a symbol of good luck.

I’ve never forgotten.

The junk has followed me in all my travels and now sits on top of the display cabinet in the lounge. It’s difficult to clean and collects dust, which is why it’s up high. 

Although it’s a dust trap, I’ve never been tempted to part with it, and now, more than ever, I’ve more reason to hang on to the  ship and the memories.

Kim  was far too young to die, and her death serves as a timely reminder to live life as if each day is your last.

Eventually, it will be.

Here’s a poem written by someone very wise, which sums it up very nicely.

Dust if you must, but wouldn’t  it be better
To paint a picture, or write a letter,
Bake a cake, or plant a seed,
Ponder the difference between want and need?

Dust if you must, but there’s not much time
With rivers to swim and mountains to climb,
Music to hear and books to read,
Friends to cherish and a life to lead.

Dust if you must, but the world’s out there,
With the sun in your eyes and the wind in your hair,
A flutter of snow, a shower of rain
This day will not come around again

Dust if you must, but bear in mind
Old age will come and it won’t be kind
And when you go, and go you must,
You, yourself, will make more dust!

Always make  time for what’s important in YOUR life.

Take care.

Jean Shaw