(Reflections from our WhatsApp chat group)
Donald Lee
Haiku reflections
Life mocks poor mortals
who yearn immortality
though destined for dust
We fear death’s harsh call
yet die we must to complete
the cycle of Life
And what follows death?
Just corporeal demise
or heavenly peace?
O carbon life forms
rejoice in your brief moment
of human sentience
Celebrating life
not squandering a moment
He made a difference
We mourn a dear friend
and cherish all those good times
we shared together
Leong Wai Kuen
A haiku
We bid you adieu
A stellar nod to his life
A friend to many
Wendy Lim Lian Bee
A haiku
Fondly remembered
Memories with us treasured
Adieu Captain Vin!
Anthony Tan
Hello Good Morning
My Dear Friend Our Friend Everyone’s Friend
In your honour, I recall, someone close to our hearts.
He will still be there When we gather, when we eat and drink to celebrate all the memories He embedded in our lives, our youth, our school days.
Thank you for all that and more and more and more.
It will never End for He was special for all of us in so many different ways.
Everyday may seem the same but the glimpses of Him remain and they are special.
They seem so recent.
What He brought to all of us is unforgettably close to our hearts.
He will always be Vinayak.
Never Goodbye
Hello Good Morning
Lian Kwen Fee
A message
Dear Varsha,
I have not met you but I have heard of you through the chat. My first encounter with Vinayak was when I joined VI in Form Four. I played in the under 15 cricket team which he captained. I remember that first match clearly. I was bowled for a duck in the first ball I faced batting opposite Vinayak. I recalled what he said after the match, that the bowler was tossing lollipops and getting us out cheaply. But he said it with not a hint of reproach in his tone. Looking back I now appreciate why he was made VI Captain and went on to an illustrious career as an international arbitrator.
The second time I met Vinayak was a few years ago at one of the earliest lunch gatherings when this chat group was started. He came out to me straightaway to greet me warmly even though we never kept in contact after leaving school. I am glad I met him not so long ago. My memory of him in 1968 simply came to life in 2017. He was Vinayak – humble, considerate, and kind. That is how I will remember him.
I wished I had gotten to know him better. I also wished that I had said this to him while he was alive. But we never for so many reasons, none of which are ever good enough.
I hope that in the weeks and months to come when your loss becomes more bearable, you can draw on the positive memories you have of him and the wonderful opportunity you had to know such a man so intimately, so respected and admired by all who came into contact with him.
As you read these postings from this chat, you will realise how each of us has reserved a place in our hearts for him. Many may not have posted but that does not mean he is any less in their hearts. |
