This boy

Imagine not being able to walk from the age of 5 when you could run and skip before turning 2. Imagine losing your older brothers before you could even understand why they’re gone. Imagine breathing becoming more of a conscious effort than a natural automated process. Imagine that as you lose your ability to walk, you suddenly realize they’re slowly becoming deformed. Twisted. Hard. Joints no longer a smooth movement. Imagine that all you could really do is lie on your bed and sit up. Imagine your parents knowing you will face the same fate as your brothers in a few years. All by the age of 11.

He’s an adorable boy sadly inflicted with a horrible genetic disease. Duchenne muscular dystrophy. He only had two older brothers and both of them succumbed to the this disease’s fatal complications in the recent months. This boy was tested positive even before he showed any symptoms at all. Out of 7 children, 3 of them positive, 4 were negative of which 3 are daughters. 1 lucky younger brother. Negative. Safe. Their parents’ only surviving son. This boy had come in with simple pneumonia. Nothing big. Nothing too serious yet. Who knows when his respiratory system may give way. At least he’s not on oxygen support yet. But soon he will be. Soon he will pass on. Not yet, their parents hope. Give him a few more happy years.

My ward houses general paeds and is partially a specialized neuro ward. All kinds of neurological diseases. Meningitis. Encephalitis. Severe epilepsy. Dravet Syndrome – never even heard of it. It is a rather sad field to be in. Sometimes these are never curable. Sometimes the simple ones are. But most of the time, you’re seeing children lying on their beds with a tracheostomy. Neurologically different. But I guess that’s what life is. It’s a God purposed thing. It is through these things that we realize that He alone is perfect.

Not us.

We’re messed up human beings to which only Jesus can save.

Physical death awaits all of us – it’s just a matter of time. How one lives the life after can be changed. With one decision.

Got to head to work now. Will write more later..

What’s a century divided by four?

Blogging is such a great tool to quickly access the moments the writer has captured into words in one particular cross-section of time,
… very much like an online diary thing.

I knew I really wanted to write again in dedication to the moment to which my age technically/biologically/legally changes – present known number plus one.

Little had I realize upon looking back that I had actually penned birthday thoughts on my blog in a biennial pattern. Today would be the third post written in succession to the last one two years ago. You’ll find them in the archives (October 2005, November 2007).

Time flies. Literally. Soon enough it will be another two years.

I told myself not to sound sappy.

Yes. It’s the big 2-5. It is HUGE, isn’t it? No plans on hiding my age there, you would have known if you read my past birthday posts anyway… although the growing number is starting to make me shy and quite uncomfortable. Too many reasons behind that to get into.

Y’know what would be interesting? To write to future me and perhaps the Lydia-ten-years-older could get going on some answers.

Dear Future Lydia,

Hey. What’s up? Does that term still sound applicable in your time? Btw, you look great for your age. Keep it up.

I’ve got a ton of questions for you…

Are you still all into that must-keep-yourself-thin? What’s your weight now?

What about your hair? Is it still long? Did you radically make a change somewhere along the line?

Are you still afraid of lizards? It’s ok if you still are. What about cats? How do you feel about them now?

Please tell me that you’ve already learn to swim properly and maybe went scuba-diving at least once!

What about family? How’s mommy and daddy doing? I hope you’re taking good care of them and making sure they’re seeing a good doctor when they’re ill. Don’t pretend you’re all that smart y’know.

Are you married yet? Dating, at least? Seriously?

Are you wiser now? Making better life decisions?

Oh Oh! I hope by now you would have at least seen the Aurora lights and maybe the Grand Canyon? Do you travel a lot? Have you gone to more countries in the South East Asia region, other than Singapore? Did you make a trip to visit your adopted daughter? Have we adopted anymore children?

Please tell me you still dress up a little and that you’re physically fit to still wear heels on nice occasions.

How’s church? Still going on strong, I’m pretty sure. Nothing can be against it when God’s on her side!

Still baking occasionally? Has your cooking and baking skills improved? That’s great. I’m sure they’re all delicious stuff.

What’s been good in your life nowadays? What’s about the not-so-good ones? Are you still glorifying God in all that you do? I’m sure you’re finding Him more and more precious by the day.

I’d love to know how you’re doing. I’ll be waiting here for your reply.

oh… btw. Happy Birthday.

Love,
Present Lydia