A Touching Story

[muakz]

When I was a puppy, I entertained you with my antics and made you laugh. You called me your child, and despite a number of chewed shoes and a couple of murdered throw pillows, I became your best friend.

Whenever I was "bad," you'd shake your finger at me and ask "How could you?" -- but then you'd relent and roll me over for a bellyrub. My housebreaking took a little longer than expected, because you were terribly busy, but we worked on that together.

I remember those nights of nuzzling you in bed and listening to your confidences and secret dreams, and I believed that life could not be any more perfect. We went for long walks and runs in the park, car rides, stops for ice cream (I only got the cone because "ice cream is bad for dogs" you said), and I took long naps in the sun waiting for you to come home at the end of the day.

Gradually, you began spending more time at work and on your career, and more time searching for a human mate. I waited for you patiently, comforted you through heartbreaks and disappointments, never chided you about bad decisions, and romped with glee at your homecomings, and when you fell in love.

She, now your wife, is not a "dog person" -- still I welcomed her into our home, tried to show her affection, and obeyed her. I was happy because you were happy.

Then the human babies came along and I shared your excitement. I was fascinated by their pinkness, how they smelled, and I wanted to mother them, too. Only she and you worried that I might hurt them, and I spent most of my time banished to another room, or to a dog crate. Oh, how I wanted to love them, but I became a "prisoner of love."

As they began to grow, I became their friend. They clung to my fur and pulled themselves up on wobbly legs, poked fingers in my eyes, investigated my ears, and gave me kisses on my nose. I loved everything about them and their touch -- because your touch was now so infrequent -- and I would've defended them with my life if need be. I would sneak into their beds and listen to their worries and secret dreams, and together we waited for the sound of your car in the driveway.

There had been a time, when others asked you if you had a dog, that you produced a photo of me from your wallet and told them stories about me. These past few years, you just answered "yes" and changed the subject. I had gone from being "your dog" to "just a dog," and you resented every expenditure on my behalf.

Now, you have a new career opportunity in another city, and you and they will be moving to an apartment that does not allow pets. You've made the right decision for your "family," but there was a time when I was your only family.

I was excited about the car ride until we arrived at the animal shelter. It smelled of dogs and cats, of fear, of hopelessness. You filled out the paperwork and said "I know you will find a good home for her." They shrugged and gave you a pained look. They understand the realities facing a middle-aged dog, even one with "papers."

You had to pry your son's fingers loose from my collar as he screamed "No, Daddy! Please don't let them take my dog!" And I worried for him, and what lessons you had just taught him about friendship and loyalty, about love and responsibility, and about respect for all life.

You gave me a good-bye pat on the head, avoided my eyes, and politely refused to take my collar and leash with you. You had a deadline to meet and now I have one, too. After you left, the two nice ladies said you probably knew about your upcoming move months ago and made no attempt to find me another good home. They shook their heads and asked "How could you?"

They are as attentive to us here in the shelter as their busy schedules allow. They feed us, of course, but I lost my appetite days ago. At first, whenever anyone passed my pen, I rushed to the front, hoping it was you that you had changed your mind -- that this was all a bad dream... or I hoped it would at least be someone who cared, anyone who might save me.

When I realized I could not compete with the frolicking for attention of happy puppies, oblivious to their own fate, I retreated to a far corner and waited. I heard her footsteps as she came for me at the end of the day, and I padded along the aisle after her to a separate room.

A blissfully quiet room. She placed me on the table and rubbed my ears, and told me not to worry. My heart pounded in anticipation of what was to come, but there was also a sense of relief. The prisoner of love had run out of days. As is my nature, I was more concerned about her. The burden which she bears weighs heavily on her, and I know that, the same way I knew your every mood.

She gently placed a tourniquet around my foreleg as a tear ran down her cheek. I licked her hand in the same way I used to comfort you so many years ago. She expertly slid the hypodermic needle into my vein. As I felt the sting and the cool liquid coursing through my body, I lay down sleepily, looked into her kind eyes and murmured "How could you?"

Perhaps because she understood my dog speak, she said "I'm so sorry." She hugged me, and hurriedly explained it was her job to make sure I went to a better place, where I wouldn't be ignored or abused or abandoned, or have to fend for myself -- a place of love and light so very different from this earthly place.

And with my last bit of energy, I tried to convey to her with a thump of my tail that my "How could you?" was not directed at her. It was directed at you, My Beloved Master, I was thinking of you. I will think of you and wait for you forever. May everyone in your life continue to show you so much loyalty.

A Note from the Author: If "How Could You?" brought tears to your eyes as you read it, as it did to mine as I wrote it, it is because it is the composite story of the millions of formerly "owned" pets who die each year in American & Canadian animal shelters.

Anyone is welcome to distribute the essay for a non-commercial purpose, as long as it is properly attributed with the copyright notice.

Please use it to help educate, on your websites, in newsletters, on animal shelter and vet office bulletin boards. Tell the public that the decision to add a pet to the family is an important one for life, that animals deserve our love and sensible care, that finding another appropriate home for your animal is your responsibility and any local humane society or animal welfare league can offer you good advice, and that all life is precious. Please do your part to stop the killing, and encourage all spay & neuter campaigns in order to prevent unwanted animals.

Jim Willis 2001

 

[jenjen]

The Hardest Thing I Had To Say

It all started when I was 6 years old. While I was playing outside on my farm in California, I met a boy. He was an average kind of boy who teased you and then you chased them and beat them up. After that first meeting in which I beat him up, we kept on meeting and beating each other up at the fence. That only lasted for a little while though. We would meet at the fence all the time and we were always together.

I would tell him all my secrets. He was very quiet and he would just listen to what I had to say. I found him easy to talk to and I could talk to him about everything. In school we had separate friends but when we got home we would always talk about what happened in school. One day I said to him that a guy I liked hurt me and broke my heart. He just comforted me and said everything would be okay. He gave me words of encouragement and helped me get over him. I was happy and thought of him as a real friend. But I knew that there was something else about him that I liked. I thought of it that night and figured it was just a friend kind of thing that I was feeling.

All through high school and even through graduation we're always together and of course I thought of it as being friends. But I knew deep inside that I really felt differently. On graduation night even though we had different dates to the prom I wanted to be with him. That night after everybody went home, I went to his house and wanted to tell him that I wanted to see him. Well, that night was my big chance and all I did was just sit there with him watching the stars and talking about what I was going to do and what he was going to do. I looked into his eyes and listened to him talk about what his dream was. How he wanted to get married and settle down. He said how he wanted to be rich and successful. All I could do was to tell him my dream and cuddle next to him.

I went home hurting because I didn't tell him how I was feeling. I wanted to tell him so bad that I loved him but I was too scared and frightened. I let my feelings go and told myself that someday I would tell him just how I felt. All through college I wanted to tell him but he always had someone with him. After graduation he got a job in New York, I was happy for him but at the same time I was sad to see him go. I was sad also because I didn't tell him how I felt. But I couldn't let him know now that he was leaving for his big job. So I just kept it to myself and watched him go on the plane. I cried as I hugged him for what I felt was going to be the last time. I went home that night and cried my eyes out. I felt hurt that I didn't tell him what I had inside my heart.

Well, I got a job as a secretary and then worked my way to a computer analyst. I was proud of what I had accomplished. One day I got a letter with an invitation to a marriage. It was from him, I was happy and sad at the same time. Now I know that I could never be with him and that we could only be friends. I went to the wedding the next month. It was a big occasion. The big church wedding and the reception at the hotel. I met the bride and of course him. I fell in love one more time. But I held back so it wouldn't spoil what should be the happiest day in his life. I tried to have fun that night but it was killing me inside watching him being so happy and me trying to be happy covering up my sadness tears inside of me.

I left New York feeling that I did the right thing. Before I left on the flight, he came running out of nowhere and said his good-byes and how he was very happy to see me. I came home and just tried to forget about what went on in New York. I had to go on with my life. As the years went on, we wrote to each other on what was going on and how he had missed talking to me. On one occasion he never wrote back to me at all. I was getting worried as to why he hadn't written anything for a long time after I had already written 6 letters to him. Well, just when everything seemed hopeless and sad in my life, I got a note that said: "Meet me at the fence where we used to talk about things". I went and saw him there. I was happy to see him, but he was broken-hearted and sad inside. We hugged until we couldn't breathe anymore.

Then he told me about the divorce and why he hadn't written for a long time. He cried until he couldn't cry anymore. Finally, we went back to the house and talked and laughed about what I had been going and to catch up on old times. But in all of this, I couldn't tell him how I felt about him. In the days that followed, he had fun and forgot about all his problem and his divorce. I fell in love again with him. When it came time for him to leave back to New York, I went to see him off and cried. I hated to see him leave. He promised to see me every time he could get a vacation. I couldn't wait for him to come so I could be with him. We would always have fun when we were together.

One day he didn't show up like he said he would. I figured that he might have been busy. The days turned into months and I just forgot about it. Then I got a call one day from a lawyer in New York. The lawyer said that he had died in a car accident going to the airport and that it took this long till everything was settled. It broke my heart. I was shocked about what took place. Now I knew why he didn't come that day. Again, I was broken-hearted. I cried that night, cried tears of sadness and heartache. Asking questions why did this happen to a kind guy like him?

I gathered my things and went to New York for the reading of his will. Of course, things were given to his family and his ex-wife. I finally got to meet her since the last time we met at the wedding. She explained to me how he was and how he always provided. But he was always unhappy. She would always try everything but she couldn't get him happy, as he was that night at their wedding. When the will was read, the one thing that was given to me was a diary. It was a diary that of his life. I cried as it was given to me. I didn't know what to think. Why was this given to me? I took it and flew back to California. As I flew on the plane I remembered the good times that we had together. I started reading the diary and what was written.

The diary was started with the day we first met. I read on till I started to cry. The diary told of him saying that he had fallen in love with me that day I was broken-hearted. But he was too afraid to tell me what he had felt. That is why he was so quiet and liked to listen to me. It told of how he wanted to tell me so many times, but was too afraid to say anything. It told of when he went to New York and fell in love with another. How the happiest time he had was seeing me and dancing with me at the wedding. He said he imagined it was our wedding. How he was always unhappy till he had no choice but to divorce his wife. How the best time in his life was to read the letters written to him by me. Finally, the diary ended when it said, "Today I will tell her I love her". It was the day he was killed. The day I was going to finally find out what was really in his heart.

 

[nikki_chen]

wa..wa..wawa.wawa..

i called my hubby now and tell him how much i love him .."p

 

[baby5556]

indeed very touching story here

i must go call my hubby also to tell him i love u.

 

[jenjen]

Glad you gals liked it...

Actually many stories were posted quite long ago and I dun think I should cut and paste them all here cos too long... so here are some links to old threads which died or were closed subsequently... the above story was one of the ones which may not have been posted before... Enjoy!

A Love Story
A Touching Love Story to Share
Email Articles Requested
Tree, Leaf & Wind

 

[gal_kelly]

I love both stories!

 

[baby5556]

anybody have anymore good, touching stories to share, i love reading stories but reality stories rather..

 

[muakz]

ok, i hear you gals... here's my touching stories.. dont blame me for red eyes ya..

 

[muakz]

A Forever Kind of Love
By Christy M. Martin

One of our favorite patients had been in and out of our small, rural hospital several times, and all of us on med-surg had grown quite attached to her and her husband.

In spite of terminal cancer and resulting pain, she never failed to give us a smile or a hug. Whenever her husband came to visit, she glowed.
He was a nice man, very polite and as friendly as his wife. I had grown quite attached to them and was always glad to care for her.

I admired their expression of love. Daily, he brought her fresh flowers and a smile, then sat by her bed as they held hands and talked quietly.
When the pain was too much and she cried or became confused, he hugged her gently in his arms and whispered until she rested. He spent every available moment at her bedside, giving her small sips of water and stroking her brow. Every night, before he left for home, he closed the door so they could spend time alone together. When he was gone, we'd find her sleeping peacefully with a smile on her lips.

On this night, however, things were different. As soon as I entered report, the day nurses informed us she had steadily taken a turn for the worse and wouldn't make it through the night. Although I was sad, I knew that this was for the best. At least my friend wouldn't be in pain any longer.

I left report and checked on her first. When I entered the room, she aroused and smiled weakly, but her breathing was labored and I could tell it wouldn't be long. Her husband sat beside her, smiling, too, and said,
"My Love is finally going to get her reward."

Tears came to my eyes, so I asked if they needed anything and left quickly. I offered care and comfort throughout the evening, and at about midnight she passed away with her husband still holding her hand. I consoled him and with tears running down his cheeks he said, "May I please be alone with her for awhile?" I hugged him and closed the door behind me.

I stood outside the room, blotting my tears and missing my friend and her smile. And I could feel the pain of her husband in my own heart. Suddenly from the room came the most beautiful male voice I have ever heard singing. It was almost haunting the way it floated through the halls. All of the other nurses stepped out into the hallways to listen as he sang "Beautiful Brown Eyes" at the top of his lungs.

When the tune faded, the door opened and he called to me. He looked me in the eyes then hugged me saying, "I sang that song to her every night from the first day we met. Normally I close the door and keep my voice down so as not to disturb the other patients. But I had to make sure she heard me tonight as she was on her way to heaven. She had to know that she will always be my forever love. Please apologize to anyone I bothered. I just don't know how I will make it without her, but I will continue to sing to her every night. Do you think she will hear me?"

I nodded my head "yes," unable to stop my tears. He hugged me again, kissed my cheek, and thanked me for being their nurse and friend. He thanked the other nurses, then turned and walked down the hall, his back hunched, whistling the song softly as he went.

As I watched him leave I prayed that I, too, would someday know that kind of forever love

 

[muakz]

100 Sorries

It was first day of the mid-year exams, therefore i finished school a little earlier, i called him,

Me : Hey, i finished school earlier today, would you come by and pick me up?

XOXO : Alright, give me 5 minutes.

Me : 5 minutes? But my school is just beside your house.

XOXO : I need to get ready.

Me : Alright, make it fast then.

2pm in the afternoon, the sun is extremely hot, I stood under a shaded tree and fan myself.

Although it doesn't make much of a difference, it was better that I fanned.

5 minutes have passed, he's still not shown up, I was a lil' unhappy while looking at my watch.

10 minutes and he's still not here....couldn't be that he was met with an accident?

15 minutes passed, he finally shown up.

Me : Why are you so late?

He wasn't even a lil' bothered

XOXO : Nahz, was watching TV.

Me : What?! TV?! Why don't you sleep, bathe and eat before you come down then?

I haven't got anything else to say for that, didn't take the helmet he handed me

but stood there and stared at him.

XOXO : Sorry.

This was the first time he said sorry to me...

He is an egoistical person all along and has never once apologised to a girl.

I looked at him, Alright, took the helmet and let him sent me home.


He is always acting like this, no explanations, no friction, no quarrels.


The only thing he does is to apologise.

To me, some things can't be settled with a sorry.

I would never go on asking after every time he apologises.

He told me, that was the first time he said sorry to a girl.

Although it take courage to admit mistakes, he never once correct his mistakes.

Saying sorry became a word to shut me up instead.

Tears flowed down my cheek on the 59th time he apologised.


I dropped my head

Me : you don't ever need to say sorry to me again.

If you can never change, then don't let me keep giving you chances again and again hoping and believing that you would change each time.

He held me lightly, and said the 60th sorry.

Even then, he did not change, and there was no explanation whatsoever.

I began to worry if there was something he was keeping from me.

Me : What's wrong with you these few days?

XOXO : Nothing.

Me : Then why are you acting so strange?

XOXO : I am not.

Me : What can you say other than this answer? Do you know I'm very worried, very insecure, do you treat me as your girlfriend?

XOXO : I'm sorry...

Me : I don't want to hear you say sorry again.

I put down the phone and he did not call back.

He doesn't even care about me. Maybe we should....break up.

.....this was the 99th time he said sorry...

From that day onwards, I never once called me or went to look for him.

Sometimes I get an anonymous phonecall

but everytime I said hello, it was dead, i think it's a call from him, but why don't he speak up?

After one month have passed, I couldn't contain the feelings I still have for him anymore and went to his school to find him.

I went outside his classroom and looked around, but there was no sign of him.

Me : excuse me, is XOXO here today?

Classmate : I'm afraid he already stopped schooling.

Me : Huh? Why? When was that?

Classmate : He hasn't been in school for a month already.

Me : Oh erms...thanks.

One month....not in school for one month...why is that so? I stumbled home.

Called his hp: Sorry the caller is currently unavailable, please leave your message after the tone....

I put down the phone, and called his house next, but there was no answer.

How can it be? The whole family migrated?

It seems as though he has already disappeared from the face on the earth leaving not even a single trace.

I couldn't find him....just as I was feeling distraughted, the phone suddenly sounded, it was my friend.

He was one of his brothers and also my good friend.

Friend : Hey, what have you been doing? XOXO is in hospital.

Me : REALLY? WHAT HAPPENED?

Friend : Oh he is in ZZ hospital, the one you stayed in last time.

Me : I'll be right there.

I used the fastest speed my legs could carry and when I reached the hospital I saw that his parents were already there.

I asked them for the room number and flew across the hall.

He was lying on bed, looking at me, not saying a word, not moving a muscle,

Me : Hey, what happened to you? Why didn't you contact me?

He did not answer, and used the same stare on me again.

Me : Come on answer me...why don't you speak?

A tear flowed down the side of his eye, and it looked as though he used the greatest amount of strength that he could master to say...

XOXO : I'm...sorry...

After that, his eyes went shut.

Me : Hey, don't fool around alright...why say sorry to me?

Me : Don't say sorry to me....please wake up....answer me please.

I wept and fell down on the side of his bed, pulling his shirt I cried out..

Me : Why do you have to apologise? Why don't you give me an explanation instead?

Me : I won't forgive you, wake up, saying sorry is no use...

Me : If you don't wake up I'll never ever forgive you in this lifetime, please I beg of you..open your eyes.....

That was the 100th sorry.

A group of medical staff, doctors, nurses pulled me away and tried to revive him. I had no strength to stand up...

My mind was a blank.... my eyes could only see a sea of black.

He did not leave this world...I merely lost the chance to touch him anymore.

But he would appear in my dreams sometimes, telling me how he was doing.

He's still accompanying me, still alive, in my heart.

would still laugh at my silliness, and call me his darling....just that...he never apologise to me anymore.

After a month, his mom came to look for me, and gave me a box... inside was 100 photographs, everyone had a story behind them... the reasons why he made me angry.

The first time, my dear, I did not purposely arrive late to pick you up.

I know this excuse is really lame, but I didn't have the heart to tell you the truth then,

before I stepped out of the house, I felt a pain in my chest, but I still made it a point to meet you, please forgive me?

The second time, my dear, I...

The third time, my dear, I...

The 100th time, my dear, I didn't mean to leave you alone in this world,

It had to be so because God did not give me the chance to say I Love You for this lifetime of mine, and to put the ring on your finger....

You are the first girl I apologised to.

And also the first girl I want to be with for the rest of my life...

Forgive me for not able to bring you happiness but I have thus become your angel, always looking out for you...

Looking at you while you find your happiness...promise me...don't shed a tear...


I don't want to see you weep like this for me, I Love You ~ XOXO

How can I not cry? What you said was just too impossible.

The last photograph was of him in the hospital,

Although he was skinny, the smile on his face was bright as ever.

His face was white and yet he tried his best to give his last smile on the last photo, the 100th.

At the time when he needed me the most, I wasn't with him.

Me : I'm sorry.

I held the photo tightly and cried for us.....

 

[muakz]

A girl in love asked her boyfriend..

Girl (g): Tell me... who do you love most in this world?

Boy (b): You, of course!

(g): In your heart, what am I to you?

(b): The boy thought for a moment and looked intently in her eyes and said, "You are my rib."

In the Bible, it was said that God saw that Adam was lonely, during his sleep; God took one of Adam's rib and created Eve.

Every man has been searching for his missing rib, only when you find the woman of your life; you'll no longer feel the lingering ache in your heart.

After their wedding, the couple had a sweet and happy life for a long while.

However, the youthful couple, due to busy schedule of modern life, the never-ending worries of daily problems, began to drift apart and their life became mundane..

All the challenges posed by the harsh realities of life began to gnaw away their dreams and love for each other..

The couple began to have more quarrels and each quarrel became more heated..

One day, after the quarrel, the girl ran out of the house..

At the opposite side of the road, she shouted, "You don't love me!"

The boy hated her childishness and out of impulse, retorted,
"Maybe, it was a mistake for us to be together! You were never my missing rib!"

Suddenly, she turned quiet and stood there for a long while..

He regretted what he said but words spoken are like thrown away water, you can never take it back..

With tears, she went home to pack her things and was determined in breaking-up.

Before she left the house, "If I'm really not your missing rib, please let me go...? she continued, "It is less painful this way... let us go on our separate ways and search for our own partners..."

Five years have since gone by..

He had never remarried but he had tried to find out about her life indirectly..

She had left the country and back..

She had married a foreigner and divorced..

He felt anguished that she never waited for him..

In one dark and lonely night, he lit his cigarette and felt the lingering ache in his heart..

He couldn't bring himself to admit that he was missing her..

One day, they finally met...

At the airport, a place where there were many reunions and good-byes..

He was going away on a business trip.

She was standing there alone, with just the security door separating them..

She smiled at him gently..

(b): How are you?

(g): I'm fine. How about you... Have you found your missing rib?

(b): No.

(g): I'll be flying to New York in the next flight.

(b): I'll be back in 2 weeks time. Give me a call when you are back... You know my number... Nothing has changed.

With a smile, she turned around and waved good-bye..

Good-bye..

Is it forever not meeting each other again?

One week later, he heard of her death..

She had perished in New York..

In the event that shocked the world..

Midnight..

Once again, he lit his cigarette..

And like before, he felt the lingering ache in his heart..
He finally knew, she was his missing rib that he had carelessly broken..


Sometimes, people say things out of moments of fury...
Most often than not, the outcome(s) could be disastrous and detrimental..
We vent our frustrations 99% at our loved ones..
And even though we know that we ought to "think twice act wise", it's often easier said than done. Things happen day by day, which are beyond our control..
Especially at this moment of the century when the most undesirable event is happening at the other end of the world..
Let us treasure every moment of our lives and everyone in our lives..

 

[muakz]

My husband was an engineer. Since I met him, he was always an unflappable rock in my life. I knew he always had his feet firmly planted on the ground, and it seemed that no matter what else went crazy, he would be the one constant.

Three years of romance, and two years of marriage later, I got tired. He was the most unromantic man I know. He never bought me flowers, he never surprised me, and nothing changed in our marriage.

After some time, I finally found the courage to tell him that I wanted to leave him. He just sat there, speechless. My heart froze... what kind of man was I married to that didn't even know what to say to make me stay?

After a while, he spoke, "What can I do to change your mind?". "I will stay if you can give me a good answer to this question," I replied coldly.

"If I asked for a flower that grew on a cliff, and you knew that getting it for me means certain death, would you get it for me?". His face grew troubled.

"Can I give you an answer tomorrow morning?" he asked. Hearing that kind of answer, my heart died. I knew that I could never be happy with a man who couldn't even give me a answer straight away.

The next morning, when I woke up, he was missing. In the living room, under a warm glass of milk, was a note. My eyes grew misty as I read it...

"Dear, I have my answer. I will never pick the flower for you if it meant certain death. But before you leave, I hope you can give me a chance to give you my reasons....

You will always sit in front of the computer and type about for the whole day, but every time you will end up in tears cause your formating will always go all over the place... I need my fingers, to do the formating for you, so your tears will become smiles.

You like to travel, but would always get lost... I need my eyes, so that I can bring you to the nicest places on earth.

Every time you leave the house, you would always forget your keys... I need my legs, so that I can run home to open the door for you.

You never knew how to take care of yourself... I need my hands to help you get rid of the pesky white hair you hate so much when you grow old, to trim your nails, to feed you.

So you see, that's why I can't pick the flower for you. Until I find someone who loves you more than I do, I will need my body to take care of you.

If you accept my reasons, then open the door, where I will be waiting with your favourite kayabread."

With tears streaming from my eyes, I opened the door, and there he stood, with a extremely worried look on his face. He still had nothing to say, but just stood there waving the packet he had in his hand in front of me. And then I knew for a fact that I will never find another man who will ever love me as much as he does.

Just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to doesn't mean that they don't love you with all they have...

 

[muakz]

A fatal misunderstanding and the person who love me the most in this world is gone forever.

Cruel misunderstandings one after another disrupted the blissful footsteps to our family. Our original intend of having Mother enjoy some quiet and peaceful moments in her remaining years with us went terribly wrong as destiny’s secret is finally revealed at a price, every thing became too late.

Just two years after our marriage, hubby brought up the idea of asking Mother to move from the rural hometown and spend her remaining years with us. Hubby’s father passed away while he was still very young. Mother endured much hardship and struggled all on her own to provide for him, see him through to a university degree. You could say that she suffered a great deal and did everything you could expect of a woman to bring hubby to where he is today.

I immediately agreed and started packing the spare room, which has a balcony facing the South to let her enjoy the sunshine and plant some greenery. Hubby stood in the bright room, and suddenly just picked me up and started spinning round and round. As I begged him to put me down, he said: “Lets go fetch mother.” Hubby is tall and big sized and I love to rest on his chest and enjoy the feeling that he could pick me up at any moment put the tiny me into his pockets. Whenever we have an argument and both refuses to back down, he would pick me up and spin me over his head continuously until I surrender and beg for mercy. I became addicted to this kind of panic-joy feeling.

Mother brought along her country-side habits and lifestyle with her. For example; I am so used to buying flowers to decorate the living room, she could not stand it and would comment: “I do not know how you young people spend your money, why do you buy flowers for? You also can’t eat the flowers!” I smiled and said: “Mum, with flowers in the house, our mood will also become better.” Mother continues to grumble away, and hubby smiled: “Mum, this is a city-people’s habit; slowly you will get use to it.”

Mother stopped saying anything. But every time thereafter, whenever I came home with flowers, she would ask me how much it costs. I told her and she would shake her head and express displeasure. Sometimes, when I come home with lots of shopping bags, she would ask each and every item how much they cost, I would tell her honestly and she would get even more upset about it. Hubby playfully pinched my nose and said: “You little fool, just don’t tell her the full price of everything would solve it.” There begins the friction to our otherwise happy lifestyle.

Mother hates it most when hubby wakes up early to prepare the breakfast. In your view, how could the man of the house cook for the wife? At the breakfast table, mother facial expression is always like the dark clouds before a thunderstorm and I would pretend not to notice. She would use her chopsticks and make a lot of noise with it as her silent protest. As I am a dance teacher in the Children’s Palace and is exhausted from a long day of dancing around, I do not wish to give up the luxury of that additional few minutes in the comfort of my bed and hence I turned a deaf ear to all the protest mother makes.

From time to time, mother would help out with some housework, but soon her help created additional work for me. For example: she would keep all kinds of plastic bags accumulating them so that she sell them later on, and that resulted in our house being filled with all the trash bags; she would scrimp on dish washing detergent when helping to wash the dishes and so as not to hurt her feelings, I would quietly wash they again. One day, late at night, mother saw me quietly washing the dishes, and “Bam” she slams her bedroom door and cried very loudly in her room. Hubby was placed in a difficult position, and after that, he did not speak to me for that entire night. I pretended to be a spoilt child, tried acting cute, but he totally ignored me. I got mad and asked him: “What did I do wrong?” Hubby stared at me and said: “Can’t you just give in to her once? we couldn’t possibly die eating from a bowl however unclean it is, right?”

After that incident, for a long period of time, mother did not speak to me and you can feel that there is a very awkward feeling hanging in the house. During that period of cold war, hubby was caught in dilemma as to who to please.

In order to stop her son from having to prepare breakfast, mother took on the “all important” task of preparing breakfast without any prompting. At the breakfast table, mother would look at hubby happily eating his breakfast and cast that reprimanding stare at me for having failed to perform my duty as a wife. To avoid the embarrassing breakfast situation, I resorted to buying my own breakfast on my way to work.

That night, while in bed, hubby was a little upset and asked me: “LD, is it because you think that mum’s cooking is not clean that’s why you chose not to eat at home?” He then turned his back on me and left me alone in tears as feeling of unfairness overwhelmed me. After some time, hubby sighed: “LD, just for me, can you have breakfast at home?” I am left with no choice but to return to the breakfast table.

The next morning, I was having porridge prepared by mother and I felt a sudden churn in my stomach and everything inside seem to be rushing up my throat. I tried to suppress the urge to throw up but I couldn’t. I threw down the bowl and rushed into the washroom and vomited everything out. Just as I was catching my breath, I saw mother crying and grumbling very loudly in her dialect, hubby was standing at the washroom doorway staring at me with fire burning in his eyes. I opened my mouth but no words came out of it, I really didn’t mean it.

We had our very first big fight that day; mother took a look at us, then stood up and slowly made her way out of the house. Hubby gave me a final stare in the eye and followed mother down the stairs.

For three days, hubby did not return home, not even a phone call. I was so furious, since mother arrived; I had been trying my best and putting up with her, what else do you want me to do? For no reason, I keep having the feeling to throw up and I simply have not appetite for food, coupled with all the events happening at home, I was at the low point in my life. Finally, a colleague said: “LD, you look terrible, you should go and see a doctor.”

The doctor confirmed that I am pregnant. Now it became clear to me why I threw up that fateful morning, a sense of sadness floated through that otherwise happy news. Why didn’t hubby, and mother who had been through this before, thought of the possibility of this being the reason that day? At the hospital entrance, I saw my hubby standing there. It had only been three days, but he looked haggard. I had wanted to turn and leave, but one look at him and my heart soften, I couldn’t resist and called out to him. He followed my voice and finally found me but he pretended that he doesn’t know me; he has that disgusted look in his eyes that cut right through my heart.

I told myself not to look at him anymore, and hail a cab. At that moment, I have such a strong urge inside me to shout to my hubby: “Darling, I am having your baby!” and have him lift me up and spin me round in circles of joy. What I wanted didn’t happen and as I sat in the cab, my tears started rolling down. Why? Why our love couldn’t even withstand the test of one fight? Back home, I lay on the bed thinking about my hubby, and the disgusted look in his eyes. I cried and wet the corner of the blanket.

That night, sound of the drawers opening woke me up. I switched on the lights and I saw hubby with tears rolling down his face. He was removing the money. I stared at him in silence; he ignored me, took the bank deposit book and some money and left the house. Maybe he really intends to leave me for good. What a rational man, so clear cut in love and money matters. I gave a few dried laugh and tears starting streaming down again.

The next day, I did not go to work. I wanted to clear this out and have a good talk with hubby. I reached his office and his secretary gave me a weird look and said: “Mr Tan’s mother had a traffic accident and is now in the hospital.” I stood there in shock. I rushed to the hospital and by the time I found hubby, mother had already passed away. Hubby did not look at me, his face was expressionless.

I looked at mother’s pale white and thin face and I couldn’t control the tears in my eyes. My god, how could this happen? Throughout the furneral, hubby did say a single word to me, with only the occasional disgusted stare at me. I only managed to find out brief facts about the accident from other people. That day, after mother left the house, she walked in dazed toward the bus stop, apparently intending to go back to her old house back in the country-side. As hubby ran after her, she tried to walk faster and as she tried to cross the street, a public bus came and hit her...

I finally understood how much hubby must hate me, if I had not thrown up that morning, if we had not quarreled, if...

In his heart, I am indirectly the killer of his mother.

Hubby moved into mother’s room and came home every night with a strong liquor smell on him. And me, I am buried under the guilt and self pity and could hardly breathe. I wanted to explain to him, tell him that we are going to have our baby soon, but each time, I saw the dead look in his eyes, all the words I have at the brink of my mouth just fell back in. I had rather he hit me real hard or give me a big and thorough scolding though none of these events happening had been my fault at all.

Many days of suffocating silence went by and as the days went by, hubby came home later and later. The deadlock between us continues, we were living together like strangers who don’t know each other. I am like the dead knot in his heart.

One day, I passed by a western restaurant, looking into the glass window, I saw hubby and a girl sitting facing each other and he very lightly brushed her hair for her, I understood what it meant. After recovering from that moment of shock, I entered the restaurant, stood in front of my hubby and stared hard at him, not a tear in my eyes. I have nothing to say to him, and there is no need to say anything.

The girl looked at me, looks at hubby, stands up and wanted to go, hubby stretched out his hand and stopped her. He stared back at me, challenging me. I can only hear my slow heart beat, beating, one by one as if at the brink of death. I eventually backed down, if I had stood that any longer, I will collapse together with the baby inside me.

That night, he did not come home, he had chosen to use that as a way to indicate to me: Following mother’s death, so did our love for each other.
He did not come home anymore after that. Sometimes, when I returned home from work, I can tell that the cupboard had been touched – he had returned to take some of his stuff.

I no longer wish to call him; the initial desire to explain everything to him vanished.

I lived alone; I go for my medical checkups alone, my heart breaks again and again every time I see a guy carefully helping his wife through the physical examination. My office colleagues hinted to me to consider aborting the baby, I told them No, I will not. I insisted on having to this baby, perhaps it is my way of repaying mother for causing her death.

One day, I came home and I saw hubby sitting in the living room. The whole house was filled with cigarette smoke. On the coffee table, there was this piece of paper. I know what it is all about without even looking at it.

In the two months plus of living alone, I have gradually learned to find peace within myself. I looked at him, removed my hat and said: “You wait a while, I will sign.” He looked at me, mixed feelings in his eyes, just like mine. As I hang up my coat, I keep repeating to myself “You cannot cry, you cannot cry...” my eyes hurt terribly, but I refused to let tears come out from there.

After I hung up my coat, hubby’s eyes stared fixed at my bulging tummy. I smiled, walked over to the coffee table and pull e paper towards me. Without even looking at what it says, I signed my name on it and pushed the paper to him.

“LD, you are pregnant?”

Since mother’s accident, this is the first time he spoke to me. I could not control my tears any further and they fell like raindrops. I said: “Yes, but its ok, you can leave now.” He did not go, in the dark, we sat, facing each other.

Hubby slowly moved over me, his tears wet the blanket. In my heart, everything seem so far away, so far that even if I sprint, I could never reach them.

I cannot remember how many times he repeated “sorry” to me, I had originally thought that I would forgive him, but now I can’t. In the western restaurant, in front of that girl, that cold cold look in his eyes, I will never forget, ever. We have drawn such deep deep scares in each other’s heart. For me, its unintentional; for him, totally intentional.

I had been waiting for this moment of reconciliation, but I realized now, what had gone past is gone forever and could not repeated! Other than the thought of the baby inside me that would bring some warmth to my heart, I am totally cold towards him, I no longer eat anything he buys for me, I don’t take any presents from him and I stopped talking to him. From the moment I signed on that piece of paper, marriage and love had vanished from my heart.

Sometimes, hubby will try to come into the bedroom, but when he walks in, I will walk out to the living room. He had no choice but to sleep in mother’s room. At night, from his room, I can hear light sounds of groaning, I kept quiet. This used to be his trick; last time, whenever I ignore him, he would fake illness and I will surrender and find out what is wrong with him, he would then grab me and laugh. He have forgotten that last time, I cared for him and am concerned because there is love, but now, what is there between us?

Hubby’s groaning came on and off continuing all the way till baby was born. Almost everyday, he would buy something for the baby, infant products, children products and books that kids like to read. Bags and bags of it stacked inside his room till it is full. I know he is trying to use this to reach out to me, but I am no longer moved by his actions. He has no choice but to lock himself in his room and I can hear his typing away on his computer keyboard, maybe he is now addicted to web surfing, but none of that matters to me anymore.

It was sometime towards the end of spring in the following year, one late night, I screamed because of a sudden stomach pain, hubby came rushing into the room, its like he did not change and sleep, and had been waiting for this moment. He carried me and ran down the stairs, stopped a car, holding my hand very tightly and kept wiping the sweat off my brown, throughout the journey to the hospital. Once we reached the hospital, he carried me and hurried into the delivery suite.
Lying on the back of his skinny but warmth body, a thought crossed my mind: In my lifetime, who else would love me as much as he did?

He held the delivery suite door opened and watch me go in, his warm eyes caused me to managed a smile at him despite my contraction pain.

Coming out of the delivery room, hubby looked at me and our son, his eyes tear with joy and he kept smiling. I reached out and touched his hand.

Hubby looked at me, smiling and then he slowly collapsed onto the floor. I cried out for him in pain... He smiled, but without opening that tired eyes of his... I had thought that I would never shed any tear for him, but the truth is, I have never felt a deeper pain cutting through my body at that moment.

Doctor said that by the time hubby discovered he had liver cancer, it was already in terminal stage and it was a miracle that he managed to last this long. I asked the doctor when did he first discover he had cancer? Doctor said about 5 months ago and consoled me saying: “Prepare for his funeral.” I disregarded the nurse’s objection and rushed home, I went into his room and checked his computer, and a suffocating pain hits me.

Hubby’s cancer was discovered 5 months ago, his groaning was real, and I had thought that... the computer showed over 200 thousand words he wrote for our son: “Son, just for you, I have persisted, to be able to take a look at you before I fall, is my biggest wish now... I know that in your life, you will have many happiness and maybe some setbacks, if only I can accompany you throughout that journey, how nice would it be. But daddy now no long has that chance. Daddy has written inside here all the possible difficulties and problems you may encounter during your lifetime, when you meet with these problems, you can refer to daddy’s suggestion... Son, after writing these 200 thousand words, I feel as if I have accompanied you through your life journey. To be honest, daddy is very happy. Do love your mother, she has suffered, she is the one who loves you most and also the one who loves me most...”

From play school to primary school, to secondary, university, to work and even in dealing with questions of love, everything big and small was written there.

Hubby has also written a letter for me:

“My dear, to marry you is my biggest happiness, forgive me for the pain I have caused you, forgive me for not telling you my illness, because I want to see you be in a joyful mood waiting for the arrival of our baby... My dear, if you cried, it means that you have forgiven me and I would smile, thank you for loving me... These presents, I’m afraid I cannot give them to our son personally, could you help me to give some of them to him every year, the dates on what to give when are all written on the packaging...”

Going back to the hospital, hubby is still in coma. I brought our son over and place him beside him. I said: “Open your eyes and smile, I want our son to remember being in the warmth of your arms...”

He struggled to open his eyes and managed a weak smile. Our son still in his arms was happily waving his tiny hands in the air. I press the button on the camera and the sound of the shutter rang thought the air as tears slowly rolled down my face...

The end...

 

[muakz]

One fine day, an old couple around the age of 70, walks into a lawyer's office. Apparently, they are there to file a divorce. Lawyer was very puzzled, after having a chat with them, he got their story....

This couple had been quarreling all their 40 over yrs of marriage, nothing ever seems to go right. They hang on coz of their children, afraid that it might affect their up-bringing. Now, all their children have already grown up, have their own family, there's nothing else the old couple have to worry about, all they wanted is to lead their own life free from all these yrs of unhappiness from their marriage, so both agree on a divorce....

Lawyer was having a hard time trying to get the papers done, coz he felt tat after 40 yrs of marriage at the age of 70, he couldn’t understand why the old couple would still wants a divorce...
while they were signing the papers, the wife told the husband..
"I really love u, but i really cant carry on any more, i'm sorry.."
"Its o.k., i understand.." said the husband.

Looking at this, the lawyer suggested a dinner together, just 3 of them, wife thought, why not, since they are still gonna be friends..

At the dining table, there was a silence of awkwardness. The first dish was roasted chicken, immediately, the old man took the drumstick for the old lady..
"Take this, its your favorite.." looking at this, the lawyer thought maybe there’s still a chance, but the wife was frowning when she answer..
"This is always the problem, you always think so highly of yourself, never thought about how i feel, and don’t you know that i hate drumsticks?"

Little did she know that, over the yrs, the husband have been trying all ways to please her. Little did she know that drumsticks was the husband's favorite. Little did he know that she never thought he understand her at all, little did he know that she hates drumsticks even though all he wants is the best for her.

That night, both of them couldn’t sleep, toss and turn, toss and turn...after hours, the old man couldn’t take it anymore, he knows that he still loves her, and he cant carry on life without her, he wants her back, he wants to tell her, he is sorry, he wanted to tell her "i love u"...

He picks up the phone, starting dialing her number.... ringing never stops... he never stop dialing.... On the other side, she was sad, she couldn’t understand how come after all these yrs, he still doesn’t understand her at all, she loves him alot, but she just cant take it anymore.... phone's ringing, she refuses to answer, knowing that its him...
"What’s the point of talking now that its over... i have ask for it and now i wanna keep it this way, if not i will lose face.." she thought...
still ringing... she decided to pull out the cord...

Little did she remember, he has heart problems...

The next day, she received news that he had passed away... she rushed down to his apartment, saw his body, lying on the couch still holding on to the phone... he had a heart attack when he was still trying to get through her phone line....

As sad as she could be... she will have to clear his belongings... when she was looking through the drawers, she saw this insurance policy, dated from the day they got married, beneficiary of coz its her... together in that file, there’s this note...

"To my dearest wife, by the time you are reading this, I’m sure I’m no longer around, i bought this policy for u, though the amount is only $100k, i hope it will be able to help me continue my promise tat i have made when we got married, i might not be around anymore, i want this amount of money to continue taking care of u, just like the way i will if i could have live longer.. i want you to know i will always be around, by your side...i love u"

 

[muakz]

The Wedding

Im someone who is very romantic. I would do anything for the one I Love. My friend all know that too. Hehe. So hopefully, the wedding would be a lovely one too.

He holds my hand gently, leading the way. We strolled along the sandy beach and its about 11.20pm. The breeze is cooling and the sound of the waves washed the stress and problems from work far away. Now its just "you" and me.

We settled down on a cosy spot near the waters and I laid on his firm shoulders. He cuddled me tight, caressd my arms. Gave me a peck on the head. We sat there, whispering sweet nothings and just enjoy the love embraced around us.

He whispered in my ears and say, " Darling, I can't wait for another 2 days. How I wished it was today. I cant wait to spend the rest of my life with you.." It was so sweet. Made me felt so loved. I smiled. Shut my eyes. Hide myself in his loving arms.

The day finally came. It felt like forever. It's finally here. We had a long day doing the outdoor photo shooting. I was all done up. Ready to go. My makeup artist did a last minute touch up and my bridesmaids led me down to the entrance of the ballroom.

I saw him. He looked absolutely charming. He came, took my hands and kissed them gently.

We entered the ballroom and walked down the aisle. The lights are so bright, could hardly see my gal pals around. Oh I saw my mum. Smiling back at me. Everyone applauded for us !

The dinner commenced at about 8.30pm. And since then, "he" was no where in sight. Had no idea where he went. I looked around the ballroom, but he was not with any of his buddies. Clueless. I just continued my dinner with my parents and inlaws.

Suddenly,the MC invited me on stage. I was puzzled and still in a state of 'shock'. Because I don't think this was planned and he asked for "him" too. But he wasnt around ! I went on stage and the MC said that it's fine, we can do without him. So he asked me couple of questions about how we knew each other...etc...The last one was," What is the most romantic thing he has done?" Well. I paused awhile. Then related the event when he proposed to me.....

Just then, the moment i finished my last sentence, the lights dimmed. And a familiar song was played. It was......

"I do swear that I'll always be there. I'd give anything and everything and I will always care. Through weakness and strength, happiness and sorrow,for better, for worse, I will love you With every beat from my heart. "

It was his voice...As he slowly walked towards me..he sang......

From this moment life has begun
From this moment you are the one
Right beside you is where I belong
From this moment on

From this moment I have been blessed
I live only for your happiness
And for your love I'd give my last breath
From this moment on

I give my hand to you with all my heart
Can't wait to live my life with you can't wait to start
You and I will never be apart
My dreams came true because of you

From this moment as long as I live
I will love you, I promise you this
There is nothing I wouldn't give
From this moment on

You're the reason I believe in love
And you're the answer to my prayers from up above
All we need is just the two of us
My dreams came true because of you ...."

Oh My GOD ! I was loss for words. It was so sweet. I could only feel that tears are gathering and getting heavier. I couldnt control any further and i
broke down into tears. I hugged him tight and just felt so touched. There's no where else i wanna be except to be right here with "him" now...

 

[muakz]

A True Love Story - Ex-President Ong Teng Cheong & First Lady

His touching words of farewell.
-------------

In a last farewell to his wife that touched many people and caused quite a few to shed tears, President Ong Teng Cheong remembers the Shanghai girl who became the First Lady.

"HERE lies a girl who came from an orphanage in Shanghai 50 years ago. She arrived in Singapore at the age of 11, speaking only Shanghainese and owning scarcely more than the clothes on her back.

But she rose far above her humble beginnings to run a successful architectural practice, and to eventually play the role of the First Lady of Singapore. But the route from the orphanage to the Istana was not all-smooth sailing.

While in the orphanage, she was struck by rheumatic fever. But she was then too young to realise the gravity of her illness. One of her heart valves was permanently damaged as a result. Doctors who examined her while she was in school in Singapore discovered it, and exempted her from all school sporting activities.

The disease struck again while she was in the final year of her Architecture degree course, and she had to be warded in hospital for "complete rest in bed" for three months.

A quiet and determined girl, she refused to tell her parents or anyone of her problem. She learnt to play the piano for only a few years, but was frustrated that her fingers were not growing long enough to allow her to play the octaves. She decided to give it up. But she always loved the
piano.

Tireless and dedicated almost to a fault, her only hobby was work - work in the office and work at home, including sewing and gardening. In her younger days, she used to sew her own dresses, including cheongsams.

When asked how she did it, she would quote: "Reverse engineering."
She would unpick old dresses, and use the piece as a dress pattern to follow.

Siew May gave the Ong family two sons. The first son was a breech baby,while the younger son was delivered by Caesarian section. Both deliveries needed operations and required heart specialists to be present. We decided to stop at two, because I did not want her to take any unnecessary risk.
I knew she would have loved to have more children, especially girls.
Happily, this was compensated for by the two lovely daughters-in-law we now have in the family. She was a wonderful and loving mother. Although she could neither swim nor cycle, she taught both Guan and Boon to swim and cycle. And as she worked long hours at the office, she even taught them how to cook their own lunches, when they were in primary and secondary schools.

We did not have a maid in the house for several years in the late '70s and early '80s. She wanted everyone in the family to be as independent as she was. But she was, in every way, a devoted mother and a supportive wife, and performed her multiple roles with equal dedication.

When I first met her at a party, she was only 15. She was an attractive and lively girl. It was not long before I discovered that she was a thrifty and highly principled girl as well. We began dating each other. Often we would meet in coffeeshops.

Whenever we had lunch, she would insist on paying for her own lunch. Her argument was that her father gave her pocket money that was for her use only and that my father gave me pocket money that was for my use. So we should pay for our own lunches.
At first, I tried to persuade her otherwise, but after two lunches, during which she stood her ground, I realised that it was futile to argue any further and we subsequently just went Dutch every time we met for lunch.

It was the simple things that gave us the greatest joy. We were happiest just chit-chatting with each other, and whenever we had family gatherings.
Occasionally, when Siew May and I were alone, we would recite Chinese poetry and verses which we had learnt and memorised together in our younger days.
Our grandson, Justin, was her real bundle of joy. She would look for him first thing in the morning, and as soon as she came home from work.

It was an unfortunate twist of fate that she had to suffer from a horrible disease at a time when she was about to relax and enjoy her retirement. She bravely fought the disease for 20 odd years.
She fought several good battles, but the last one was swift and fatal.
She was peaceful in her final hours.

Today, I wish to quote one of our favourite quotations from Su Dong Bo (the Song dynasty poet). He said that to part is inevitable. But in the simple but poignant words of Bai Ju Yi (the Tang dynasty poet), the loss is an eternal pain.

We took pride that we had led a clean and honest life, and had taken our marriage vows seriously - we had been husband and wife for better or for
worse, till death did us part.

Good bye, Siew May. We love you. "

 

[muakz]

As I walked home one freezing day, I stumbled on a wallet someone had lost in the street. I picked it up and looked inside to find some identification so I could call the owner. But the wallet contained only three dollars and a crumpled letter that looked as if it had been in there for years.

The envelope was worn and the only thing that was legible on it was the return address. I started to open the letter, hoping to find some clue. Then I saw the dateline - 1924. The letter had been written almost sixty years earlier.

It was written in a beautiful feminine handwriting, on powder-blue stationery with a little flower in the left-hand corner. It was a "Dear John" letter that told the recipient, whose name appeared to be Michael, that the writer could not see him any more because her mother forbade it. Even so, she wrote that she would always love him. It was signed Hannah.

It was a beautiful letter, but there was no way, except for the name Michael, to identify the owner. Maybe if I called information, the operator could find a phone listing for the address on the envelope.

"Operator," I began, "this is an unusual request. I'm trying to find the owner of a wallet that I found. Is there any way you can tell me if there is a phone number for an address that was on an envelope in the wallet?"

She suggested I speak with her supervisor, who hesitated for a moment, then said, "Well, there is a phone listing at that address, but I can't give you the number." She said as a courtesy, she would call that number, explain my story and ask whoever answered if the person wanted her to connect me. I waited a few minutes and then the supervisor was back on the line. "I have a party who will speak with you."

I asked the woman on the other end of the line if she knew anyone by the name of Hannah. She gasped. "Oh! We bought this house from a family who had a daughter named Hannah. But that was thirty years ago!" "Would you know where that family could be located now?" I asked.

"I remember that Hannah had to place her mother in a nursing home some years ago," the woman said. "Maybe if you got in touch with them, they might be able to track down the daughter."

She gave me the name of the nursing home, and I called the number. The woman on the phone told me the old lady had passed away some years ago, but the nursing home did have a phone number for where the daughter might be living.

I thanked the person at the nursing home and phoned the number she gave me. The woman who answered explained that Hannah herself was now living in a nursing home.

"This whole thing is stupid,' I thought to myself. 'Why am I making such a big deal over finding the owner of a wallet that has only three dollars and a letter that is almost sixty years old?'

Nevertheless, I called the nursing home in which Hannah was supposed to be living, and the man who answered the phone told me, "Yes, Hannah is staying with us."

Even though it was already 10 P.M., I asked if I could come by to see her. "Well," he said hesitatingly, "if you want to take a chance, she might be in the day room watching television."

I thanked him and drove over to the nursing home. The night nurse and a guard greeted me at the door. We went up to the third floor of the large building. In the day room, the nurse introduced me to Hannah. She was a sweet, silver-haired old-timer with a warm smile and a twinkle in her eye.

I told her about finding the wallet and showed her the letter. The second she saw the powder-blue envelope with that little flower on the left, she took a deep breath and said, "Young man, this letter was the last contact I ever had with Michael."

She looked away for a moment, deep in thought, and then said softly, "I loved him very much. But I was only sixteen at the time and my mother felt I was too young. Oh, he was so handsome. He looked like Sean Connery, the actor.

"Yes," she continued, "Michael Goldstein was a wonderful person. If you should find him, tell him I think of him often. And," she hesitated for a moment, almost biting her lip, "tell him I still love him. You know," she said, smiling as tears welled up in her eyes, "I never did marry. I guess no one ever matched up to Michael..."

I thanked Hannah and said good-bye. I took the elevator to the first floor and as I stood by the door, the guard there asked, "Was the old lady able to help you?"

I told him she had given me a lead. "At least I have a last name. But I think I'll let it go for a while. I spent almost the whole day trying to find the owner of this wallet."

I had taken out the wallet, which was a simple brown leather case with red lacing on the side. When the guard saw it, he said, "Hey, wait a minute! That's Mr. Goldstein's wallet. I'd know it anywhere with that bright red lacing. He's always losing that wallet. I must have found it in the halls at least three times."

"Who's Mr. Goldstein?" I asked, as my hand began to shake.

"He's one of the old-timers on the eighth floor. That's Mike Goldstein's wallet for sure. He must have lost it on one of his walks."

I thanked the guard and quickly ran back to the nurse's office. I told her what the guard had said. We went back to the elevator and got on. I prayed that Mr. Goldstein would be up.

On the eighth floor, the floor nurse said, "I think he's still in the day room. He likes to read at night. He's a darling old man."

We went to the only room that had any lights on, and there was a man reading a book. The nurse went over to him and asked if he had lost his wallet. Mr. Goldstein looked up with surprise, put his hand in his back pocket and said, "Oh, it is missing!"

"This kind gentleman found a wallet and we wondered if it could be yours."

I handed Mr. Goldstein the wallet, and the second he saw it, he smiled with relief and said, "Yes, that's it! It must have dropped out of my pocket this afternoon. I want to give you a reward."

"No, thank you," I said. "But I have to tell you something. I read the letter in the hope of finding out who owned the wallet."

The smile on his face suddenly disappeared. "You read that letter?"

"Not only did I read it, I think I know where Hannah is."

He suddenly grew pale. "Hannah? You know where she is? How is she? Is she still as pretty as she was? Please, please tell me," he begged.

"She's fine...just as pretty as when you knew her," I said softly.

The old man smiled with anticipation and asked, "Could you tell me where she is? I want to call her tomorrow."

He grabbed my hand and said, "You know something, mister? I was so in love with that girl that when that letter came, my life literally ended. I never married. I guess I've always loved her."

"Michael," I said, "come with me."

We took the elevator down to the third floor. The hallways were darkened and only one or two little night lights lit our way to the day room, where Hannah was sitting alone, watching the television.

The nurse walked over to her.

"Hannah," she said softly, pointing to Michael, who was waiting with me in the doorway. "Do you know this man?"

She adjusted her glasses, looked for a moment, but didn't say a word.

Michael said softly, almost in a whisper, "Hannah, it's Michael. Do you remember me?"

She gasped. "Michael! I don't believe it! Michael! It's you! My Michael!

He walked slowly toward her, and they embraced. The nurse and I left with tears streaming down our faces.

"See," I said. "See how the good Lord works! If it's meant to be, it will be."

About three weeks later, I got a call at my office from the nursing home. "Can you break away on Sunday to attend a wedding? Michael and Hannah are going to tie the knot!"

It was a beautiful wedding, with all the people at the nursing home dressed up to join in the celebration. Hannah wore a light beige dress and looked beautiful. Michael wore a dark blue suit and stood tall. They made me their best man.

The hospital gave them their own room, and if you ever wanted to see a seventy-six-year-old bride and a seventy-nine-year-old groom acting like two teenagers, you had to see this couple.

A perfect ending for a love affair that had lasted nearly sixty years.

 

[muakz]

It was a bitterly cold Christmas eve in Korea in 1952. A pregnant young mother, Bak Yoon, hobbled through the snow toward the home of a missionary friend where she knew she could find help. Tears of sorrow froze on her face as she mourned her husband. He had recently been killed in the Korean War, and she had no one else to turn to. A short way down the road from her missionary friend's house was a deep gully spanned by a bridge. As Bak Yoon stumbled forward, birth pains suddenly overcame her. She fell, realizing that she could go no further, and crawled under the end of the bridge. There, alone, under the bridge, her baby boy was born. Bak Yoon had nothing with her except her heavy, padded clothes. One by one she removed all pieces of her clothing and wrapped them around her tiny son, still connected to her body by his umbilical cord. Then feeling exhausted she lay back in the snow beside her baby.

The next morning Miss Watson, long-time missionary, drove across the bridge in her car to take a Christmas basket of food to a needy Korean family. On her way back, as she got near the bridge, the car sputtered and died - out of gasoline. She got out of the car and started across the bridge. Through crunching snow under her feet she heard another sound - a baby's faint cry. She stopped, unbelieving, and heard the cry again. "It's coming from beneath this bridge!"

She crawled under the bridge to investigate and there she found a tiny, bundled baby, warm but hungry, and young Bak Yoon frozen in death. With a knife from her tool box she cut the cord and took the baby home with her. After caring first for the child, she, along with some helpers, brought Bak Yoon's body back to near where she lived and buried her there.She named the baby Soo Park, and adopted him. He was strong and healthy and so grew up among many other orphan children that Miss Watson cared for. But to her, Soo Park was special. She often told him, "Your mother had great love for you, Soo Park," and about how she had proved that love. He never tired of hearing of his beautiful mother.

On Christmas day, his 12th birthday, snow was falling. After the children had helped Soo Park celebrate his birthday, he came and sat beside Miss Watson. "Mother Watson, do you think God made your car run out of gasoline the day you found me?" he asked.

"Perhaps He did," she answered. "If that car hadn't stopped, I would not have found you. But I am so glad it stopped. I love you and am very proud of you, Soo Park." She put her arms around him. He rested his head against her.

"Mother Watson, will you please take me out to my mother's grave? I want to pray there. I want to thank her for my life."

"Yes, but put on your heavy coat. It's very cold."

Beside the grave, Soo Park asked Mother Watson to wait at a little distance. She walked aside and waited. As the astonished missionary watched, the boy began to take off his warm clothing, piece by piece. Surely he won't take off all his clothing! she thought. He'll freeze! But the boy stripped himself of everything, laid it all on his mother's grave, and knelt naked and shivering in the snow. She waited one minute, two minutes. Then she put her gloved hand on his snow covered shoulder.

"Come, Soo Park. Your mother in Heaven sees how much you love her. I will help you dress."

Then in deep sorrow he cried out to the mother he never knew: "Were you colder than this for me, my mother?" And he wept bitterly because he knew of course, she was...

 

[muakz]

Promise of Love

From the very Beginning, Gal's family objected strongly on her dating with this guy. Saying that it has got to do with family background, & that the gal will have to suffer for the rest of her life if she were to be with him.

Due to family's pressure, the couple quarrel very often. Though the gal love the guy deeply, but she always ask him: "How deep is your love for me?"

As the guy is not good with his words, this often cause the gal to be very upset. With that & the family's pressure, the gal often vent her anger on him. As for him, he only endure it in silence. After a couple of years, the guy finally graduated & decided to further his studies in overseas.

Before leaving, he proposed to the gal: "I'm not very good with words. But all I know is that I love you. If you allow me, I will take care of you for the rest of my life. As for your family, I'll try my best to talk them round. Will you marry me?"

The gal agreed, & with the guy's determination, the family finally gave in & agreed to let them get married. So before he leave, they got engaged.

The gal went out to the working society, whereas the guy was overseas, continuing his studies. They sent their love thru emails & phone calls. tho it's hard, but both never thot of giving up.

One day, while the gal was on her way to work, she was knocked down by a car that lost control. when she woke up, she saw her parents beside her bed. She realised that she was badly injured. Seeing her mum crying, she wanted to comfort her. But she realized that all that could come out of her mouth was just a sigh. She has lost her voice....

The doctors says that the impact on her brain has caused her to lose her voice. Listening to her parents' comfort, but with nothing coming out from her, she broke down. During the stay in hospital, besides silence cry, it's still just a silence cry that accompanied her.

Upon reaching home, everything seems to be the same. Except for the ringing tone of the phone. Which pierced into her heart every time it rang.

She does not wish to let the guy know. & not wanting to be a burden to him, she wrote a letter to him saying that she does not wish to wait any longer.

With that, she sent the ring back to him. In return, the guy sent millions & millions of reply, countless of phonecalls, all the gal could do, besides crying, is still crying.... The parents decided to move away, hoping that she could eventually forget everything & be happy.

With a new environment, the gal learn sign language & started a new life. Telling herself everyday that she must forget the guy. One day, her fren came & told her that he's back. She asked her fren not to let him know what happened to her. Since then, there wasn't anymore news of him.

A year has passed & her fren came with an envelope, containing an invitation card for the guy's wedding. The gal was shattered. When she open the letter, she saw her name in it instead. When she was about to ask her fren wat's going on, she saw the guy standing in front of her.

He used sign language telling her "I've spent a year's time to learn sign language. Just to let you know that I've not forgotten our promise. Let me have the chance to be your voice. I Love You."

With that, he slipped the ring back into her finger.

The gal finally smiled...

 

[muakz]

He was mute since birth. Though he could hear and understand the spoken words of others, he could not tell anyone how he felt.

She was his neighbour, a little girl living with her grandmother.

She always called him Kor. He is really like her elder brother, brings her to school and plays with her. Always smiling and listening quietly to her talking away. He communicates with her through sign language, but she could read his every emotion through the deep brown eyes of his. She knows how much he likes her.

They grew up together, enjoying each other’s company.

The day finally came when she graduated and joined the workforce. She very firmly said to him: “Kor, I want to be your wife!”

Having hear that, like a frighten rabbit, he ran away into hiding. Never wanting to see her again no matter how she pleaded with him. She said to him: “You may think this is pity? You may think I am repaying your kindness all these years? No. this is not. The truth is, I loved you since I was 12yrs old.” But she never got any reply from him....

Suddenly, one day, someone told him that she was hospitalized. He was worried sick and visited her in the hospital. The doctor said that she had a tumor growing in her throat, though they manage to remove the tumor, her vocal cords were damaged in the process, and she may never be able to speak anymore. Lying in the bed, she looked at him, tears in her eyes...

Finally, they got married. For many years, no one has heard a single word from them. Through sign language, pen and paper and their eyes, they communicated; happiness, sadness, joy and sorrows.

They became a couple envied by many. Many people always refer to them as the blissful mute husband and wife.

Love however great, could not stop the arrival of death. He died, leaving her on her own. Many of their friends were very concerned that she may not be able to withstand such a blow and they came to console her.

Suddenly, she stopped staring at his photo, looked up at her friends, opened her mouth and said: “He still left...”

Everyone around her was shocked and at the same time touched by her stubborn, deep fairytale like love for him. But those were the only words she said, she never spoke again, and died soon after...

 

[muakz]

Only Love

It's a cold February night. People are bustling through the streets, either pulling up their coat collars or wrapping scarves around their necks, trying to stay warm.

It's so cold today.I'm standing at my window, looking at the people moving like little dots. Standing in a heated room, I'm beginning to pity those people. Why don't they go home? Do they plan on wandering until morning?

"Almost time to go home! My boyfriend must be going crazy." One of the nurses breathe a sign of relief. "Still needs to work overtime on Valentine's Day. It's so unfair!"

"You are fortunate." Another nurse says. "Some people don't have anyone waiting for them."

"You mean Dr. Shu?"

Like Sherlock Holmes, my ears perk up when I hear my name.

"Do you remember how she lost control on this day last year?"

"Of course I do." A nurse shudders. "I've never seen Dr. Shu like that. Crying and yelling, like she was crazy."

They are talking about how I was last year. They are correct. I was out of control, like they said.

"You can't blame Dr. Shu. If my boyfriend died in front of my eyes, I would probably go crazy as well."

"Keep it down. She hasn't left work yet. She might hear you."

The two nurses are too late. I heard the entire conversation through the canvas wall.

"Dr. Shu, what are you doing standing here?"

Just as I was deciding whether or not to reveal myself, another nurse exposed me. I awkwardly step out. The 2 nurses who discussed me start to blush. Their faces became redder than the bow on Valentine's Day chocolates.

"I'm waiting to go home." I pretend that I didn't hear anything.

"Dr. Shu, you must have gotten too involved in your work. It's already past time to go home. See you tomorrow. Happy Valentine's Day!" She waves goodbye.

"Happy Valentine's Day." I wave back and watch the 2 nurses hurry away.

That's fine. I was ready to go home anyway. Even though no lover is waiting for me, at least there's a lazy cat waiting for me to feed.

After I come home, the first thing I do is feed the cat. I forgot when I first had the cat. Probably since last year's Valentine's Day. At that time, I was like an abandoned cat, with eyes filled with despair. Cats don't cry, I do. That's the only difference.

"Better drink all the milk or I'll skin you." I threatened the cat. Her name is Christine, my least favorite English name. I don't know why I named the cat Christine. Christine meowed once to let me know she heard me, but her eyes are complaining about my severity. Her eyes remind me of someone I used to know, standing in front of me with eyes of rebellions.

An year ago today, I had lunch with my boyfriend and took the opportunity to complain to him.

"Today is Valentine's Day. Why didn't you give me any flowers?"

He raised his eyebrow. "Why should I give you flowers? You are not my anyone."

"Then... you should at least give me a card!" I pouted my lips, hurt by his tone.

"I know, I know. After lunch, I'll send you an e-card."

E-card. That sounds so impersonal, but that's the way he is.
"You have to e-mail it to me. I'll be waiting." I excitedly smiled and planned to sneak home after lunch to check e-mail. Even though he wouldn't use any romantic words, I still looked forward to the card.

"I can't stand you women. Why do you make such a big deal out of Valentine's Day??" He grumbled while eating his food. His comment induced me to fight with him again.

"You are not romantic at all!! Don't you watch any Japanese drama?"

"Japanese drama? I only watch Discovery Channel."

"Your life is so boring." I made a face at him. "One recent drama was really good. You should have watched it."

"What's that drama called?" He didn't believe in the love portrayed in TV and movies. He always thought they were lies.

"It's called 'Story of A Century'." I gladly answered.

"What kind of trashy plot did it have?"

"What do you mean trash?? Show some respect!" I was so angry. "That drama was very touching, and the theme song was beautiful as well. It's called 'Only Love', performed by Nana Mouskouri." I wonder if he knew who Nana was.

"Nana, I know her. A Greek singer with really expensive albums."

"Her voice is worth it." Even though I secretly agreed with him, I couldn't bring myself to admit it.

"Whatever." He glanced at his watch. "I'll give you 5 minutes to tell me the plot. After that, I'm leaving."

I tried hard to explain 6 hours worth of story in just 5 minutes. The drama portrayed the love stories of 3 generations of women spanning 100 years, from 1901 to 2000. Each generation was portrayed by the same actress. The story was tear-jerking.

"What's so touching about it?" He asked, after listening to the story.

"Don't you think each generation's story is wonderful? If I have such great screen writing ability, I wouldn't be a doctor anymore. I would become a screenwriter."

"If you become a screenwriter, I bet no one would watch the show. The TV station can go out of business." He quickly interjected.

"I'm going back to work. Hurry and send me the card!" I was so mad that I went home immediately, not even finishing my coffee.

As soon as I walked in my door, I turned on my computer and go online.

Staring at the empty in-box, I began to reminisce about how we met. Maybe no one will believe me, but my boyfriend and I were actually neighbors. Our homes were only 1 wall away. Ever since we were kids, we liked to fight with each other all day long. I still remember when I moved to the country that year. Used to the city life, I couldn't get used to the simple life in the country. After school, I would just go home and do nothing. Whenever that happened, he would always come over to tease me.

"Why are you staring off into space??" He loved to pull on my hair. "You're so ugly when you're doing nothing. But you're also not pretty when you smile." In other words, I'm really ugly.

"You're the one who's ugly!" I pull back my hair. "If you think I'm so ugly, why do you visit me??"

"Can't help it. My home is right next to your home." He argued.

"Then I'll move!" The next day, I drew a line in the ground using some white chalk. A line that I forbid him to cross.

That year, we were both in the 5th grade. We couldn't stand each other and hoped the other would move away. But 5 years passed, and neither of us moved. Not only that, we got into the same high school and into the same class.

"You're that infamous couple." All the students and teachers in the school would say whenever they saw us.

"We're not!" I always tried to explain. "We're only neighbors." At that time, I hated my parents for making us live next to him.

"My standard is not that low." He would say. "Who wants her to be a girlfriend?? It's not like I don't have eyes."

"Yes, I know your eyes are on top of your head." I really disliked him. "Better than having eyes on the bottom of my head like you." He implied that I couldn't judge guys. At that time, I had a crush on a senior.

I didn't think that his sarcasm had a hidden meaning. After a while, I found out that the senior student had lots of girlfriends. When I cried about it, he silently passed me a handkerchief and awkwardly held me in his arms.

"I told you he wasn't any good." He roughly comforted me. I cried in his arms the whole night, and began to see him in a different way. Things began to change between us. We still fought all the time, but he started to look at me differently. And I blushed and my heart beat faster when he was near. We both knew: we fell in love with each other.

Even with this knowledge, neither of us said anything. Even though we would not be able to resist and kissed each other constantly. Even though we cared about each other's every moves. Both of us refused to admit our love.

Time flew by quickly, and it was time to face separation. I chose to study medicine, and he chose physics. Yet we still couldn't separate from each other. Our parents worried that we didn't know anyone in Taipei, so they forced us to live in the same apartment building. Once again, we became neighbors. We still fought, but sometimes we fought into the bedroom. Alright, we became lovers, but we still wouldn't say we loved each other. We didn't even spend Valentine's Day together until he saw me share dinner with a man one Valentine's Day. That night, he waited for me in front of my door and said that he would take me out to dinner on Valentine's Day from then on. I have to say that he was very arrogant. But I nodded and accepted his request. Since then, we spent every Valentine's Day together. After graduation, I became an intern. He started a small computer company with some friends and became a programmer. We were busy with our own lives and had no time for a relationship. Three years later, I became a doctor, and his business began to boom. We separately moved to bigger apartments and stopped being neighbors. On the surface, we left each other. In reality, we were still together. We spent every Valentine's Day together but each year became more dreary than the next because he never told me he loved me even with all my hints.

Facing the empty in-box, I suddenly grew very angry. He wouldn't say it and wouldn't send me a card. What did he mean? Who did he think I was? I called his cell phone.

"Hello." He picked up the phone.

"I didn't receive the card." I immediately showed my displeasure.

"You didn't receive it?" He seemed really busy. "But I sent it."

He was really busy but I didn't care. "I didn't receive it. Send it again."

"Okay, I'll send you 100 times. Is that good enough??" He said with impatience. His tone further infuriated me. Is that how lovers speak to each other?

"Don't bother sending it to me. And you don't have to pick me up tonight.

I'll eat dinner by myself."

"Don't be childish, ok? I'm really busy."

"I AM childish!" I hung up the phone and tears rolled down my cheeks.

Childish?? Why didn't he consider the situation? We've gone out for so many years and spent countless Valentine's Day together. I never received any flowers nor cards from him. Now, I just want a little e-card. Is that too much to ask for??

I unplugged the phone from the wall and turned off my cell phone. I didn't want to hear his explanations. After I returned to the hospital, I instructed the receptionist not to forward me any phone calls. I wanted to concentrate on work.

Because there were so many emergencies today, I was sweating 1 hour later and forgot about our argument.

"Dr. Shu, please take a look at that patient."

As I was collecting my equipment, the shrill sound of an ambulance sounded outside the ER. When I stepped out the door, the emergency medics hurriedly wheeled in a gurney.

"What happened to him?" I asked the 1st medic. Everyone else were trying to help put the patient on the gurney. He was covered with blood.

"Car accident." The medic replied. "Very serious. He may die."

I nodded and ran to the operating room with them. When I arrived, the nurses told me that the man had already stopped breathing and also his heartbeat also stopped

"Prepare for shock." I calmly instructed the nurses. Saving people is our duty. We can't lose our calm.

But when I saw who laid on the operating table, I lost my calm. That person was my boyfriend!

"No..." I stood in shock. "NO!!!" I grabbed the paddles and continuously shocked his body. His body bounced up and down from the shocks. The scared nurses went to find another doctor, to tell him that I was crazy.

I didn't know if I was crazy or not. I just wanted to save my lover. Even though we fought all the time. Even though he never showed me his love. I still wanted to save him. He still owed me a card. He couldn't die! I threw away the paddles and began to press on his heart. I pressed with all my strength, hoping it would revive him, but he didn't wake up. He didn't even say "It hurts". He just laid there with his eyes closed, punishing me with his silence.

Dr. Jian angrily pushed me away. By that time, I couldn't see clearly anymore. I cried. I wailed. I bowled until no sounds could come out of my mouth.

"It's too late, Dr. Shu. He's already dead. I'm sorry." Dr. Jian patted me on the shoulder. They knew each other and ate together once. I introduced them.

"He can't die." I shook my head. "He can't die!!" I struggled to run to him.

"Dr. Shu, control yourself!" Dr. Jian slapped me. "I understand what you're going through, but you're a doctor."

Yes, I'm a doctor, but I'm also a regular person. How can Dr. Jian understand how I feel? I've loved him for so many years that it's become a habit. How can I just throw away a habit? Besides, he still owed me a card. "I want him to live! I want him to live!" I ran to him again and tried to knock the life back into his body.

"Take her away!" That day, I lost my control and my professionalism.

And that day happened to be Valentine's Day.

Afterwards, I asked his co-workers why he left work early that day.

They told me that after I hung up the phone, he tried to call me several times but couldn't reach me. Worried, he drove to the hospital to find me and got hit by a large truck on the way.

When I heard this, I froze. My tantrum killed him. Just because of an unmailed card, he died. After that, I lost my privilege to be childish.

Like an abandoned cat, I couldn't even cry anymore. After his death, I couldn't cry anymore, regardless of how touching the plot or how tear-jerking the dialogue. They didn't affect me anymore.

Now, I'm only left with a cat and a seldomly used computer. Stepping over the cat, I turned on the computer. Even though I know no one will send me a mail, I still hoped that someone will remember me on this day.

Meow, meow. I looked at Christine to see what's wrong. She finished her milk. I went into the kitchen to get her more milk then came back to look at the computer screen.

I have.... 100 emails! Who would be bored enough to send me 100 junk mail?

I was just about to delete them all when I received another mail, and this one said: "Because of system error, we could not send these until today.

We apologize for the delay." The sender was my ISP.

I looked at the 1st mail. It showed the send date is last year's Valentine's Day. My heart began to beat fast. Could he have sent these?

With a trembling hand, I opened the mail. The first thing that popped up was a gorgeous red rose set against green leaves. Then a beautiful melody began to play.... "Only Love". I couldn't believe it. The rose was so beautiful and the music was so dreamy. I almost thought I was in a fantasy. Most touching of all were the words underneath the rose, because the words read like a beautiful poem.

"Hwei."

That's my name.

"Knowing you so many years, I've never sent you any flowers. Today I send you a rose."

I received it and it's so beautiful.

"You know we are always fighting. We can never really open our hearts and tell each other how we feel."

Yes, but it's all your fault for being so distant.

"I know I always make you mad by the things I say."

Good that you're admitting it.

"But today I want to say to you: I'm sorry, and I love you."

I waited so many years for those words.

"And I want to tell you a good news. I finally saved enough money."

You already have enough money. Why did you need so much?

"So Hwei, let's get married!! I was afraid to propose to you, because I didn't trust in my ability to give you the good life you deserve. But now I've saved enough money so we don't have to wait anymore."

Who wanted you to wait? I'm already yours.

"Today, I use this card to propose to you. Will you marry me, Hwei? Will you?"

That's the content of the whole card. Like a fool, I kept reading his words and talking to him. It's like I can hear his voice and see him again.

As if it's back to 1 year ago with us constantly fighting.

The song played over and over. Repeating Nana's heartbreaking voice.

Only love can make a memory.
Only love can make a moment last.
You were there and all the world was young and all it's songs unsung.
and I remember you then when love was all,
all you were living for,
and how you gave that love to me...."

The lyrics of this song fits our love so closely. When he was alive, my world was so young. Every day, I could find a something different to fight with him about. But after he left, my life is only left with memories and coldness that will never go away.

"Will you marry me?"

When I read these words, my tears unconsciously came, wetting the keyboard.

Will I? If he's in front of me, I will definitely kick him and call him a big fool. If I wasn't willing, I wouldn't have waited until today.

So I moved the cursor over the "Reply" box, and typed the response that I've already prepared for so many years - "I will."

I will - be by his side for the rest of my life. I will - fight with him forever. That is how I answered him, but the only response I got was the repeating song "Only Love."

Nevertheless, I opened every single letter, accepted every singled rose, and typed the same response: "I will."

I replied 100 times, and "Only Love" played 100 times. In this cold Valentine's night, the line that's been broken for 1 year finally got reconnected.

I answered you. What about you?

 

[muakz]

The story start wif a guy, name Paul and a girl named Ella..

Both of were still students but had already started to 'fall in love'.. in another words, go steady. In one of the days during their June holidays which they have been waiting for, they met each other at a basketball court. Coincidentally, they started playing a match with each other and they had fun.

As Ella knew one of the friends of Paul, she asked for Paul's number. At that time, Paul didn't want to fall in love again, after getting so much hurt from the previous one. Sadly, that friend of Paul didn't give her the number.

As days went by, the holidays ended. They met each other at another basketball near Ella's school. Day went by and Ella borrowed Paul's hp and missed call her own hp to get his number.

That very nite, she smsed Paul. They chatted and had fun. Till one day, Ella expressed her love for Paul. Paul loved her much too and after thinking for a long time, Paul thinks that he and Ella would last, thus, asked her if she would be his partner. Obviously, she agreed.

They went steady for one and a half short months. Ella ended the relationship as her parents did not allowed her to go steady for a
reason, who on earth would accept that lame reason? but Paul, like many other love victims, had no choice but to let go.

Years past and another fell in love with Paul. She was Mary. Paul and Ella didn't contact for a very long time. Paul still loved Ella very much but never had a chance to tell her. One day, along a street, Paul was with Mary. Paul saw a familiar figure across the road. It was Ella!! Paul ran acrossed the road, without noticing a truck coming, BANG!! Everyone near him crowded around that area. Mary screamed as she rushed to Paul. Ella joined in the crowd. She remembered the face, one who loved her so much in the past. Next to him, was Mary. He wasn't dead. "Dont give up! Say my name a 100 times, a 1000 times, a million times. U're gonna say it till u can finish a million before u can stop!!" Mary said to Paul with tears in her eyes. Everyone thought Mary was Paul's girl. Standing at one side, alone, was a girl crying. That's was Ella who regretted breaking up with Paul, after recalling how nice Paul treated her in the past.

Paul was sent to the Hospital. Mary and Ella were there. Praying hard. An operation was carried out, Paul didn't survive. The Doctor came out, shaking his head. Sighed. He too, thought that Mary was Paul's girlfriend, thus approached her for an apology for not being able to revive Paul. He said to Mary: "Miss Ella, your boyfriend didn't survive. He gave himself
up after calling your name 157 times. I'm sorry."

The Doctor has actually mistook Mary for Ella. Paul was calling out for Ella. Ella cried in a corner. She knew why he had stopped at 157. That was the day she broke with him(15/7). She, who ended the relationship which Paul treasured so much, has in turn, ended Paul's life.


IF YOU LOVE SOMEONE DEEPLY.. NEVER LEAVE THAT PERSON.. U'LL NEVER KNOW WHEN U'LL NEED HIM/HER BACK IN YOUR LIFE AGAIN.. TREASURE YOUR LOVED ONES.. YOU'LL NEVER KNOW IF YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR PARTNER WOULD ACTUALLY MEAN A LIFETIME TO HIM/HER..

 

[muakz]

I have a boyfriend who grew up with me.

His name is Jin.

I always thought of him as a friend until last year, when we went to a trip from a club. I found that I fell in love with him.

Before that trip was over, I took a step and confessed my love for him.

And soon, we became a pair of lovers, but we loved each other in different ways.

I always concentrated on him only, but by his side, there were so many other girls.

To me, he was the only one, but to him, maybe I was just another girl.

"Jin, do you want to go watch a movie?" I asked.

"I can't"

"Why? You need to study at home?" I felt disappointment grabbing me.

"No. I am going to meet a friend."

He was always like that.

He met girls in front of me, like it was nothing.

To him, I was just a girlfriend.

The word 'love' only came out from my mouth.

Since I knew him, I had never heard him say 'I love you' before.

To us, there weren't any anniversaries at all.

He didn't say anything from the first day and it continued till 100 days.200days.

Everyday, before we say goodbye, he would just hand me a doll, everyday, without fail. I don't don’t know why.

Then one day.

Me: Um, Jin, I .

Jin: What.don't drag, just say...

Me: I love you.

Jin: ..you..um, just take this doll and go home.

That was how he ignored my 'three words' and handed me the doll.

Then he disappeared, like he was running away.

The dolls I received from him everyday, filled my room, one by one. There were many.

Then one day came, my 15th year old birthday.

When I got up in the morning, I pictured a party with him, and stranded myself in my room, waiting for his call.

But, lunch passed, dinner passed, and soon the sky was dark, he still didn't call.........

It was already tiring to look at the phone anymore.

Then around 2am in the morning, he suddenly called me and woke me from my sleep. He told me to come out of the house. Still, I felt joy and I ran out happily.

Me: Jin.

Jin: Here.take this.

Again, he handed me a little doll.

Me: What's this?

Jin: I didn't give it to you yesterday, so I am giving it to you now. I'm going home now, bye.

Me: Wait, wait! Do you know what today is?

Jin: Today? Huh?

I felt so sad. I thought he would remember my birthday.

He turned around and walked away like nothing had happen.

Then I shouted.

"Wait."

Jin: You have something to say?

Me: Tell me, tell me you love me.

Jin: What?!

Me: Tell me

I put my pathetic self behind and clung on to him.

But he just said simple cold words and left.

"I don't want to say.that I love someone so easily, if you are desperate to hear it, then find someone else."

That was what he said. Then he ran off.

My legs felt numb and I collapsed to the ground. He didn't want to say it easily.

How could he..

I felt that.

Maybe he is not the right guy for me.

After that day, I stranded myself at home crying, just crying.

He didn't call me, although I was waiting.

He just continued handing me a little doll every morning outside my house.

That's how those dolls piled up in my room, everyday.

After a month, I got myself together and went to school.

But what made the pain resurface was that. I saw him on a street with another girl.

He had a smile on his face, one that he never showed me as he touched the doll.

I ran straight back home and looked at the dolls in my room, and tears fell.

Why did he gave these to me.

Those dolls are probably picked out by some other girls.

In a fit of anger, I threw the dolls around.

Then suddenly, the phone rang. It was him.

He told me to come out to the bus stop outside my house.

I tried to calm myself down and walked to the bus stop.

I kept reminding myself that I am going to forget him, that, it's going to end.

Then he came into my sight, holding a big doll.

Jin: Jo, I thought you were pissed, you really came?

I couldn't help hating him, acting like nothing had happen and joking around.

Soon, he held out the doll as usual.

Me: I don't need it.

Jin: What..why.

I grabbed the doll from his hands and threw it on the road.

Me: I don't need this doll, I don't need it anymore!! I don't want to see a person like you again!

I spitted out all the words that were inside me. But unlike other days, his eyes very shaking.

"I'm sorry" He apologized in a tiny voice.

He then walked over to the road to pick up the doll.

Me: You stupid! Why are you picking up the doll?! Just throw it away!!!

But he ignored me and just went to pick the doll.

Then.

Honk~ Honk~

With a loud honk, a big truck was heading towards him.

"Jin! Move! Move away!" I shouted.

But he didn't hear me, he squatted down and picked up the doll.

"Jin, move!"

HONK~!!

"Boom!" That sound, so terrifying.

That's how he went away from me.

That's how he went away without even opening his eyes to say one word to me.

After that day, I had to go through everyday with guiltiness and the sadness of losing him.

And after spending two months like a crazy person, I took out the dolls.

Those were the only gifts he left me since the day we started going out.

I remembered the days I spent with him and started to count the days when we were in love.

"One, two, three."

That was how. I started to count the dolls.

"Four hundred and eighty four, four hundred and eighty five."

It all ended with 485 dolls.

I then started to cry again, with a doll in my arms.

I hugged it tightly, then suddenly.

"I love you~, I love you~"

I dropped the doll, shocked.

"I..lo..ve.you??"

I picked up the doll and pressed its stomach.

"I love you~ I love you~"

It can't be!

I pressed all the dolls' stomach as it piled on the side.

"I love you~"

"I love you~"

"I love you~"

Those words came out non-stop.

I.love you.

Why didn't I realize that..........

That his heart was always by my side, protecting me.

Why didn't I realize that he love me this much.

I took out the doll under the bed and pressed it's stomach, that was the last doll, the one that fell on the road.

It had his blood stain on it.

The voice came out, the on that I was missing so much.

"Jo. Do you know what today is? We've been loving each other for 486 days. Do you know what 486 is? I couldn't say I love you... Um, since I was too shy. If you forgive me and take this doll, I will say that I love you. Everyday till I die. Jo. I love you."

The tears came flowing out of me......... Why? Why? I asked god, why do I only know about all this now?

He can't be by my side, but he loved me until his last minute.

For that, and for that reason, to me, it became courage to live a beautiful life..

It's better to lose your pride with someone you love rather than lose someone that you love with your useless pride!

 

[muakz]

Loving An Imperfect Person

They have been married for two years. He loves literature and often posts his work on the net, but nobody ever reads them. He is also into photography and he handles their wedding photos. He loves her very much. Likewise with her. She has a quick temper and always bullies him. He is a gentleman and always gives in to her.

Today, she's being willful again.

Her: "Why can't you be the photographer for my friend's wedding? She promised she'd pay."

Him: "I don't have time that day."

Her: "Humph!"

Him: "Huh?"

Her: "Don't have time? Write less of those novels, and you will have all the time you need."

Him: "I... someone will definitely recognize my work some day."

Her: "Humph! I don't care, you'll have to do it for her!"

Him: "No."

Her: "Just this once?"

Him: "No."

Negotiation's broken. So, she gave the final warning: "Give me a Yes within three days, or else..."

First day, she "withheld" the kitchen, bathroom, computer, refrigerator, television, hi-fi... Except the double bed, to show her "benevolence".

Of course, she has to sleep on it too. He didn't mind, as he still has some cash in his pockets.

Second day, she conducted a raid and removed everything from his pockets and warned, "Seek any external help, and you bear the consequences."

He's nervous now. That night, on the bed, he begs for mercy, hoping that she'll end this state. She doesn't give a d**n. No way am I giving in, whatever he says. Until he agrees.

Third day, night. On the bed. He's lying on the bed, looking to one side. She's lying on the bed, looking to the other side.

Him: "We need to talk."

Her: "Unless it's about the wedding, forget it."

Him: "It's something very important."

She remains silent.

Him:"Let's get a divorce."

She did not believe her ears.

Him: "I got to know a girl."

She's totally angry, and wanted to hit him. But she held it down, wanting to let him finish. But her eyes already felt wet. He took a photo out from his chest. Probably from his undershirt pocket, that's the only place she didn't go through yesterday. How careless.

Him: "She's a nice girl."

Her tears fell.

Him: "She has a good personality too."

She's heartbroken because he puts a photo of some other girl close to his heart.

Him: "She says that she'll support me fully in my pursue for literature after we got married."

She's very jealous because she said the same thing in the past.

Him: "She loves me truly."

She wishes to sit up and scream at him "Don't I?"

Him: "So, I think she won't force me to do something that I don't want to do."

She's thinking, but the rage won't subside.

Him: "Want to take a look at the photo I took for her?"

Her: "...!"

He brings the photo before her eyes. She's in a total rage, hits his hand away and leaves a burning slap on his face.

He sighs. She cries.

He puts the photo back to his pocket. She pulls her hand back under the blanket.

He turns off the light, and sleeps. She turns on the light, and sits up. He's asleep. She lost sleep. She regrets treating him the way she treated him.

She cried again, and thought about a lot of things. She wants to wake him up. She wants to have a intimate talk with him. She doesn't want to push him anymore. She stares at his chest. She wants to see how the girl looks.

She slips the photo out. She wanted to cry and she wanted to laugh.

It's a nicely taken photo. A photo he took for her. She bends down, and kissed him on his cheek.

He smiled. He was just pretending to be asleep.

You learn to love, not by finding a perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly.

 

[muakz]

They met on IRC. They share the same dreams.

The boy call the gal from Canada and ask her to sing him a song. she sang and when she finish the song, he say in tears "I want you to remember this night, no matter how the world change, no matter how u and i will change, tonight i want you to know, i truly truly love you!"

They started from that day on.

One night, the boy call the gal and say "I had a dream, I dreamt that you were my bride, you wore a wedding gown and were so beautiful, i was sooo happy, i tot to myself that my wish is true, u are going to be my bride, i was so touch in my dream that i cried. then i woke up and I realise I really cry. I really want u to be my bride..."

Then they met for the first time, the boy flew down from Canada. He hug her in front of the hotel. He sat opposite her and stared at her. She asked "Why do u keep staring at me?" "becos the girl whom i truly love is finally in front of of me and she is real. i love u sooo much." they hugged.

The next day, they spend the day holding hands, shopping, walking ard town, he brought her a watch which she hold on dearly. They saw a movie, they did what they always wanted, hold hands and be like a real couple.

He kiss her eyes "You have the loveliest eyes on earth."

She send him off at the airport, he say "I am not going to cry later and u will also not cry okie? cos we will meet very soon. i love you" he kiss her forehead, hug her and leave.

He call her 2 weeks later " when god created man, the man have 2 mouth, 4 hands and legs, 2pairs of eyes. then one day, he decided to split this man into 2, calling each other the other half, and he made them go in search of each other half. You are my other half, i know u are, i love you. I really really love you." he say with tears in his eyes.

It was the girl 21st birthday, woke up that morning, found her watch he gave her stopped. she was worried and wait and wait, but no phone call came. finally, she call him, his mum pick up the phone and say "Can u stop calling? He is busy and will not take your call." she hung up the phone and cried.

2 weeks later, she receive an email from the boy. he say he had a big fight with his mum over the gal, and the mum ask him to choose between his studies and the gal. He chose the gal and left, with only 1k, he fly to USA. His best fren is there. She knew why the watch had stop.

2 months later, he call her " are u willing to come to USA and stay with me? but it will be one way ticket, no return. are u willing?" the gal said "Yes, with u, i am" he say he will pick her up in 2 weeks time.

2 weeks came, and they met again. he say " i came as promise, but i cant take you with me. i love you, and i want u to be happy, there is no future for me, i dun want u to take the gamble." she say " i dun want to leave with u, i want u to go back to your studies, i want u to be successful, i want you to build the dreams we have without me, i want u to be happy. be happy, please be happy, for only when u are happy, i will be happy." he say " i will also be happy, only to know u can be happy without me by your side." they hug, making it the longest and the most unpartable hug ever, knowing, this will be the last hug.

He told the gal 1 yr later "I have known many new faces in this one year, but each of this new faces mean nothing, unless they remind me of you."

He wrote her a letter, "Everyone can be in love with anyone, the fish can be in love with the bird, but where do they live?" the gal replied " In heaven.."

 

[muakz]

1000 Papercranes

"Once upon a time, there was once a guy who was very much in love with this girl.

This romantic guy folded 1,000 pieces of papercranes as a gift to his girl. Although, at that time he was just a small executive in his company, his future doesn't seemed too bright, they were very happy together. Until one day, his girl told him she was going to Paris and will never come back. She also told him that she cannot visualise any future for the both of them, so let's go their own ways there and then...heartbroken, the guy agreed.

When he regained his confidence, he worked hard day and night, slogging his body and mind just to make something out of himself. Finally with all these hardwork and with the help of friends, this guy had set up his own company...

"You never fail until you stop trying." he always told himself. "I must make it in life!"

One rainy day, while this guy was driving, he saw an elderly couple sharing an umbrella in the rain walking to some destination. Even with the umbrella, they were still drenched. It didn't take him long to realise those were his ex-girlfriend's parents. With a heart in getting back at them, he drove slowly beside the couple, wanting them to spot him in his luxury sedan. He wanted them to know that he wasn't the same anymore, he had his own company, car, condo, etc. He had made it in life!

Before the guy can realise, the couple was walking towards a cemetery, and he got out of his car and followed them... and he saw his ex-girlfriend, a photograph of her smiling sweetly as ever at him from her tombstone... and he saw his precious papercranes in a bottle placed beside her tomb.

Her parents saw him. He walked over and asked them why this had happened.

They explained, she did not leave for France at all. She was stricken ill with cancer. In her heart, she had believed that he will make it someday, but she did not want her illness to be his obstacle ... therefore she had chosen to leave him.

She had wanted her parents to put his papercranes beside her, because, if the day comes when fate brings him to her again he can take some of those back with him.

The guy just wept... the worst way to miss someone is to be sitting right beside them but knowing you can't have them and will never see them again.

The End."

A tragic story that perhaps happens only in the movies. At the end of the day, money is money but love is divine. In our quest for our material wealth, take time to make time for our loved ones. There will be a time when we have only memories to cling to.

Take this weekend to show our "love" to all that are close to us.

 

[muakz]

I took a deep breath. Was I seeing things? How could he betrayed me.......?

Life became coloured when I got to know Gary. Things were simple, he had finished his national service and we were in the same course in 'U' we studied and the friends we both knew introduced him to me. Although he might not be a dashing guy who would sweep your feet off, he just had that warming smile everytime he saw me. Really, things were simple, going out for dates, little hugs and kisses every now and then, talks over any topic around the world, and I'm attracted to that goofy smile.....

Things were fine in the beginning, we graduated and he got a job at XX Bank. as an finance executive, whereas,as I wanted to try something different in my life, I got a job as a operations executive at a hotel, which is far from what I've studied. Perhaps we were in a different industry, things got slowed down between us. No longer talks about anything but figures, figures, figures. He talked about his colleagues to me, grumbling why he was not credited when he helped the bank to earn so much, how much clients he had attracted and things were just not the same anymore. I didn't even remember that familiar smile on his face. Unknowingly at times, I started staring at his face blankly, thinking where had that smile gone too. He shook me up, asking me if I was ok. I woke up, and said nothing. Perhaps with this gap, we had drifted somehow. No longer this is called a relationship, it was a routine, yet not a promising one.

To make things worse, before that problem surfaced, my father had contracted throat cancer. We were not a rich family, and the whole family would have to depend on me for the medical treatments. I did not want to approach anyone, I did not even let Gary know about this. Times I had rejected him to go out for dates as I took up part time jobs. He was confused, and that even drifted us more. I understood I should tell him, but I did not want him to worry too much.

To one point of time, we stopped seeing each other. We only met once in a month, and my father's medical bills were pilling, I couldn't almost cope. I was working very hard and I almost broke down psychologically. Finally one day, when I was at my part-time work place, I almost stopped breathing. It was Gary, with another girl's hand around his arm, talking to a guy friend. I was confused. I did not know how to react. I just frooze there. To a point of time, when I saw that guy friend went off, I woke up. I could not be bother with the job anymore, took my bag, and stormed to that man who had that shock face I had never seen. He betrayed me.

I slapped him, without a word, I stormed off. I did not know what to say. I just hailed a taxi and reached home. I felt hot on my face. I didn't know what to think, or rather, I didn't want to think anymore. When I had reached home, I walked into my room. I felt hot on my face, and that was when I felt hot tears were streaming down my cheeks. I broke down quietly. I didn't know how long was I in the room, but all I could hear was the ringing of my handphone.

"Mei, this is Mum, can I come in?",I heard my mum said. I opened the door, and little I expected was Gary. I tried pushing back the door, but I was too weak to do anything and I fell down. He quickly helped me up, but i tried pushing him away. The door was closed and I wanted to scream at him. I really wanted, but no words came out of my mouth.

"Mei, you've mistaken. Please, listen to me, I didn't do whatever you've saw. It was a misunderstanding. Trust me. That girl was Rachel, our classmate, remember? I was dining with her with a business contract, when later that guy appeared. Rachel just slipped her hands around me and told that guy I was her boyfriend. I was shocked initially, and decided to ask her why she did that after that guy left. After that slap, she told me she was getting back at that guy, who was her current boyfriend, but as he's married and she was not told, she wanted to get back to her. Little she expect you were there."

"Mei, I don't know if you trust me. But I really can't bear to make you sad, it hurts me very deeply. I know there are some difficulties in your family, and that is why I was on business just now." At this point of time, Gary shoved an evenlope to me. " Although you may not tell me, but I have already knew what happen. Please Mei, don't be mad."

Tears kept rolling down the once familiar face I've remembered. Gary was crying. I couldn't believe it. I finally see the old Gary I know, who talks to me like we used to. No longer that proud man I felt I was with. I opened the evenlope. It was a cheque of $15,000. Later I got to know he already knew about my father's condition long ago, but he did not say anything but worked doubly hard. When times I rejected him to go out, he started work real hard and saved up the money for me.

I finally broke down. Broke down that wall between us. While hugging him, I came to an conclusion: I should have known better to let him know earlier. A couple needed to communicate to maintain a relationship. I don't know how long I can live, but so long I have that mouth of breath, I'll still love him. And that goofy smile of his.

 

[muakz]

There was once a guy who suffered from cancer... A cancer that can't be treated. He was 18 years old and he could die anytime. All his life, he was stuck in his house being taken cared by his mother. He never went outside but he was sick of staying home and wanted to go out for once.

So he asked his mother and she gave him permission. He walked down his block and found a lot of stores. He passed a CD store and looked through the front door for a second as he walked. He stopped and went back to look into the store. He saw a young girl about his age and he knew it was love at first sight. He opened the door and walked in, not looking at anything else but her. He walked closer and closer until he was finally at the front desk where she sat.

She looked up and asked "Can I help you?"
She smiled and he thought it was the most beautiful smile he has ever seen before and wanted to kiss her right there.

He said "Uh... Yeah... Umm... I would like to buy a CD." He picked one out and gave her money for it.

"Would you like me to wrap it for you?" she asked, smiling her cute smile again.

He nodded and she went to the back.

She came back with the wrapped CD and gave it to him. He took it and walked out of the store. He went home and from then on, he went to that store everyday and bought a CD, and she wrapped it for him. He took the CD home and put it in his closet. He was still too shy to ask her out and he really wanted to but he couldn't. His mother found out about this and told him to just ask her.

So the next day, he took all his courage and went to the store. He bought a CD like he did everyday and once again she went to the back of the store and came back with it wrapped. He took it and when she wasn't looking, he left his phone number on the desk and ran out...

!!!RRRRRING!!!

The mother picked up the phone and said, "Hello?"

It was the girl!!! She asked for the boy and the mother started to cry and said, "You don't know? He passed away yesterday...

"The line was quiet except for the cries of the boy's mother. Later in the day. The mother went into the boy's room because she wanted to remember him. She thought she would start by looking at his clothes. So she opened the closet. She was face to face with piles and piles and piles of unopened CDs. She was surprised to find all those CDs and she picked
one up and sat down on the bed and she started to open one.

Inside, there was a CD and as she took it out of the wrapper, out fell a piece of paper. The mother picked it up and started to read it.

It said: Hi... I think U R really cute. Do u wanna go out with me? Love, Jacelyn

The mother opened another CD...

Again there was a piece of paper. It said:Hi... I think U R really cute. Do u wanna go out with me? Love, Jacelyn

Love is... when you've had a huge fight but then decide to put aside your egos, hold hands and say, "I Love You"

 

[muakz]

"Love, I read somewhere, is blind..."

The passengers on the bus watched sympathetically as the attractive young woman with the white cane made her way carefully up the steps.

She paid the driver and, using her hands to feel the location of the seats walked down the aisle and found the seat he'd told her was empty.

Then she settled in, placed her briefcase on her lap and rested her cane against her leg. It had been a year since Susan, 34, became blind. Due to a medical misdiagnosis she had been rendered sightless, and she was suddenly thrown into a world of darkness, anger, frustration and self-pity.

And all she had to cling to was her husband, Mark. Mark was an Air Force officer and he loved Susan with all his heart.

When she first lost her sight, he watched her sink into despair and was determined to help his wife gain the strength and confidence she needed to become independent again. Finally, Susan felt ready to return to her job, but how would she get there? She used to take the bus, but was now too frightened to get around the city by herself.

Mark volunteered to drive her to work each day, even though they worked at opposite ends of the city. At first, this comforted Susan, and fulfilled Mark's need to protect his sightless wife who was so insecure about performing the slightest task.

Soon, however, Mark realized the arrangement wasn't working. Susan is going to have to start taking the bus again, he admitted to himself.

But she was still so fragile, so angry - how would she react? Just as he predicted, Susan was horrified at the idea of taking the bus again.

"I'm blind!", she responded bitterly. "How am I supposed to know where I am going? I feel like you're abandoning me."

Mark's heart broke to hear these words, but he knew what had to be done. He promised Susan that each morning and evening he would ride the bus with her, for as long as it took, until she got the hang of it. And that is exactly what happened. For two solid weeks, Mark, military uniform and all, accompanied Susan to and from work each day. He taught her how to rely on her other senses, specifically her hearing, to determine where she was and how to adapt to her new environment. He helped her befriend the bus drivers who could watch out for her, and save her a seat. Finally, Susan decided that she was ready to try the trip on her own.

Monday morning arrived, and before she left, she threw her arms around Mark, her temporary bus-riding companion, her husband, and her best friend. Her eyes filled with tears of gratitude for his loyalty, his patience, and his love. She said good-bye, and for the first time, they went their separate ways.

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday... Each day on her own went perfectly, and Susan had never felt better. She was doing it! She was going to work all by herself.

On one Friday morning, Susan took the bus to work as usual. As she was paying the fare to exit the bus, the driver said, "Boy, I sure do envy you."

Susan wasn't sure if the driver was speaking to her or not. After all, who on earth would ever envy a blind woman who had struggled just to find the courage to live for the past year?

Curious, she asked the driver, "Why do you say that you envy me?" The driver responded, "It must feel good to be taken care of and protected like you are."

Susan had no idea what the driver was talking about, and again asked, "What do you mean?"

The driver answered, "You know, every morning for the past month, a fine-looking gentleman in a military uniform has been standing across the corner watching you as you get off the bus. He makes sure you cross the street safely and he watches until you enter your office building.

Then he blows you a kiss, gives you a little salute and walks away. You are one lucky lady."

Tears of happiness poured down Susan's cheeks.

For although she couldn't physically see him, she had always felt Mark's presence. She was lucky, so lucky, for he had given her a gift more powerful than sight, a gift she didn't need to see to believe - the gift of love that can bring light where there is darkness.

 

[muakz]

A Forever Kind of Love
By Christy M. Martin

One of our favorite patients had been in and out of our small, rural hospital several times, and all of us on med-surg had grown quite attached to her and her husband.

In spite of terminal cancer and resulting pain, she never failed to give us a smile or a hug. Whenever her husband came to visit, she glowed.
He was a nice man, very polite and as friendly as his wife. I had grown quite attached to them and was always glad to care for her.

I admired their expression of love. Daily, he brought her fresh flowers and a smile, then sat by her bed as they held hands and talked quietly.
When the pain was too much and she cried or became confused, he hugged her gently in his arms and whispered until she rested. He spent every available moment at her bedside, giving her small sips of water and stroking her brow. Every night, before he left for home, he closed the door so they could spend time alone together. When he was gone, we'd find her sleeping peacefully with a smile on her lips.

On this night, however, things were different. As soon as I entered report, the day nurses informed us she had steadily taken a turn for the worse and wouldn't make it through the night. Although I was sad, I knew that this was for the best. At least my friend wouldn't be in pain any longer.

I left report and checked on her first. When I entered the room, she aroused and smiled weakly, but her breathing was labored and I could tell it wouldn't be long. Her husband sat beside her, smiling, too, and said,
"My Love is finally going to get her reward."

Tears came to my eyes, so I asked if they needed anything and left quickly. I offered care and comfort throughout the evening, and at about midnight she passed away with her husband still holding her hand. I consoled him and with tears running down his cheeks he said, "May I please be alone with her for awhile?" I hugged him and closed the door behind me.

I stood outside the room, blotting my tears and missing my friend and her smile. And I could feel the pain of her husband in my own heart. Suddenly from the room came the most beautiful male voice I have ever heard singing. It was almost haunting the way it floated through the halls. All of the other nurses stepped out into the hallways to listen as he sang "Beautiful Brown Eyes" at the top of his lungs.

When the tune faded, the door opened and he called to me. He looked me in the eyes then hugged me saying, "I sang that song to her every night from the first day we met. Normally I close the door and keep my voice down so as not to disturb the other patients. But I had to make sure she heard me tonight as she was on her way to heaven. She had to know that she will always be my forever love. Please apologize to anyone I bothered. I just don't know how I will make it without her, but I will continue to sing to her every night. Do you think she will hear me?"

I nodded my head "yes," unable to stop my tears. He hugged me again, kissed my cheek, and thanked me for being their nurse and friend. He thanked the other nurses, then turned and walked down the hall, his back hunched, whistling the song softly as he went.

As I watched him leave I prayed that I, too, would someday know that kind of forever love

 

[muakz]

100 Sorries

It was first day of the mid-year exams, therefore i finished school a little earlier, i called him,

Me : Hey, i finished school earlier today, would you come by and pick me up?

XOXO : Alright, give me 5 minutes.

Me : 5 minutes? But my school is just beside your house.

XOXO : I need to get ready.

Me : Alright, make it fast then.

2pm in the afternoon, the sun is extremely hot, I stood under a shaded tree and fan myself.

Although it doesn't make much of a difference, it was better that I fanned.

5 minutes have passed, he's still not shown up, I was a lil' unhappy while looking at my watch.

10 minutes and he's still not here....couldn't be that he was met with an accident?

15 minutes passed, he finally shown up.

Me : Why are you so late?

He wasn't even a lil' bothered

XOXO : Nahz, was watching TV.

Me : What?! TV?! Why don't you sleep, bathe and eat before you come down then?

I haven't got anything else to say for that, didn't take the helmet he handed me

but stood there and stared at him.

XOXO : Sorry.

This was the first time he said sorry to me...

He is an egoistical person all along and has never once apologised to a girl.

I looked at him, Alright, took the helmet and let him sent me home.


He is always acting like this, no explanations, no friction, no quarrels.


The only thing he does is to apologise.

To me, some things can't be settled with a sorry.

I would never go on asking after every time he apologises.

He told me, that was the first time he said sorry to a girl.

Although it take courage to admit mistakes, he never once correct his mistakes.

Saying sorry became a word to shut me up instead.

Tears flowed down my cheek on the 59th time he apologised.


I dropped my head

Me : you don't ever need to say sorry to me again.

If you can never change, then don't let me keep giving you chances again and again hoping and believing that you would change each time.

He held me lightly, and said the 60th sorry.

Even then, he did not change, and there was no explanation whatsoever.

I began to worry if there was something he was keeping from me.

Me : What's wrong with you these few days?

XOXO : Nothing.

Me : Then why are you acting so strange?

XOXO : I am not.

Me : What can you say other than this answer? Do you know I'm very worried, very insecure, do you treat me as your girlfriend?

XOXO : I'm sorry...

Me : I don't want to hear you say sorry again.

I put down the phone and he did not call back.

He doesn't even care about me. Maybe we should....break up.

.....this was the 99th time he said sorry...

From that day onwards, I never once called me or went to look for him.

Sometimes I get an anonymous phonecall

but everytime I said hello, it was dead, i think it's a call from him, but why don't he speak up?

After one month have passed, I couldn't contain the feelings I still have for him anymore and went to his school to find him.

I went outside his classroom and looked around, but there was no sign of him.

Me : excuse me, is XOXO here today?

Classmate : I'm afraid he already stopped schooling.

Me : Huh? Why? When was that?

Classmate : He hasn't been in school for a month already.

Me : Oh erms...thanks.

One month....not in school for one month...why is that so? I stumbled home.

Called his hp: Sorry the caller is currently unavailable, please leave your message after the tone....

I put down the phone, and called his house next, but there was no answer.

How can it be? The whole family migrated?

It seems as though he has already disappeared from the face on the earth leaving not even a single trace.

I couldn't find him....just as I was feeling distraughted, the phone suddenly sounded, it was my friend.

He was one of his brothers and also my good friend.

Friend : Hey, what have you been doing? XOXO is in hospital.

Me : REALLY? WHAT HAPPENED?

Friend : Oh he is in ZZ hospital, the one you stayed in last time.

Me : I'll be right there.

I used the fastest speed my legs could carry and when I reached the hospital I saw that his parents were already there.

I asked them for the room number and flew across the hall.

He was lying on bed, looking at me, not saying a word, not moving a muscle,

Me : Hey, what happened to you? Why didn't you contact me?

He did not answer, and used the same stare on me again.

Me : Come on answer me...why don't you speak?

A tear flowed down the side of his eye, and it looked as though he used the greatest amount of strength that he could master to say...

XOXO : I'm...sorry...

After that, his eyes went shut.

Me : Hey, don't fool around alright...why say sorry to me?

Me : Don't say sorry to me....please wake up....answer me please.

I wept and fell down on the side of his bed, pulling his shirt I cried out..

Me : Why do you have to apologise? Why don't you give me an explanation instead?

Me : I won't forgive you, wake up, saying sorry is no use...

Me : If you don't wake up I'll never ever forgive you in this lifetime, please I beg of you..open your eyes.....

That was the 100th sorry.

A group of medical staff, doctors, nurses pulled me away and tried to revive him. I had no strength to stand up...

My mind was a blank.... my eyes could only see a sea of black.

He did not leave this world...I merely lost the chance to touch him anymore.

But he would appear in my dreams sometimes, telling me how he was doing.

He's still accompanying me, still alive, in my heart.

would still laugh at my silliness, and call me his darling....just that...he never apologise to me anymore.

After a month, his mom came to look for me, and gave me a box... inside was 100 photographs, everyone had a story behind them... the reasons why he made me angry.

The first time, my dear, I did not purposely arrive late to pick you up.

I know this excuse is really lame, but I didn't have the heart to tell you the truth then,

before I stepped out of the house, I felt a pain in my chest, but I still made it a point to meet you, please forgive me?

The second time, my dear, I...

The third time, my dear, I...

The 100th time, my dear, I didn't mean to leave you alone in this world,

It had to be so because God did not give me the chance to say I Love You for this lifetime of mine, and to put the ring on your finger....

You are the first girl I apologised to.

And also the first girl I want to be with for the rest of my life...

Forgive me for not able to bring you happiness but I have thus become your angel, always looking out for you...

Looking at you while you find your happiness...promise me...don't shed a tear...


I don't want to see you weep like this for me, I Love You ~ XOXO

How can I not cry? What you said was just too impossible.

The last photograph was of him in the hospital,

Although he was skinny, the smile on his face was bright as ever.

His face was white and yet he tried his best to give his last smile on the last photo, the 100th.

At the time when he needed me the most, I wasn't with him.

Me : I'm sorry.

I held the photo tightly and cried for us.....

 

[szeyin]

So many sob stories. Thanks, Suz.

My fave is still the 1st doggy one even tho i've read it many times.

 

[ann_goh]

Thanks Suz, I love all the stories. They are so touching..... We really have to cherish our love ones before they are gone....

 

[hamgu]

Hi all,
This is funny..pls read kekek!

Touching Story?

A man was walking across the road when he met with an accident. The impact was on his head which caused him to be comatose for two days before he finally regained consciousness. When he opened his eyes, his wife was there beside him. He held her hands and said meaningfully :

"You have always been by my side. When I was a struggling University student, I failed again and again. And sometimes, even my repeat papers as well. You were there beside me, encouraging me to go on trying..."

She squeezed his hands as he continued: "When I went for all the major interviews and failed to clinch any of the jobs, you were there beside me, cutting out more adverts for me to apply...."
     
He continued: "Then I started work at this little firm and finally got to handle a big contract. I blew it because of one little mistake. And you were there beside me."
     
"Then I finally got another job after being laid off for some time. But I never seemed to be promoted and my hard work was not recognised.
     
As such, I remained in the same position from the day I joined the company till now...and you were still beside me... "
     
Her eyes brimmed with tears as she listened to her husband : "And now I have met with an accident and when I wake up, you are here beside me...

There's something I'd really like to say to you..."
     
She flung herself on the bed to hug her husband, sobbing with emotion.
     
He said, "I think you bring me bad luck..."

 

[pinkbear]

Hi Suz,

thanks for the stories...so touching

 

[live]

hi Suz>>
All the stories are so touching and that it makes tis world looks so much better with Real , Unconditional Love around...
These stories made us forget all those betrayals,deceit and affairs tht nowadays ppl are having as if is a norm....

Thks,
well

 

[venuswang]

Thanx for the lovely stories, I gotta admit I have watery eyes for a few atories. Just sms my partner to tell him I love him, suddenly feel so mean to treat him the way I do sometimes.

 

[frozenheart]

hi kim yee, thanks for your story, it made my day..

 

[ysnympha]

Hi all, just want to share a story here....

I have a client and i know he like me ever since i started serving his company... He is quite a nice man and still single. But all the while i didn't accept him as he is not my type. He helps me alot over work, sometime i can't reach my quota and he will always there to help me. I'm wondering how come such a nice man will ended up this way.... He use to buy me flowers during my birthday and valentine day... He also will buy me a small gift everytime when he back from his biz trip and many more other things. I didn't appreciated things that he had done for me because i'm just treating him as a client and what i want is just an orders from him....

I supposed to meet him up this week for coffee as plan but sad to say, when i SMS him today he did not reply as normally he will reply very soon after receiving my SMS. Today i received a call from his hp no few hours after i had sent a sms... When i pick up the call i had a shock because the person who call was a lady.... The lady ask me who am i? What is the relation with this guy? So i just answer all the questions that she asked.... I felt kind of un-easy so i ask her who she is and is everything OK? Then she answer me ITS NOT OKAY!!! She told me she is the sister and this guy is gone!!! I was very shocking and ask her what happen??? She told me his bro met an accident on 12 feb SUN morning. He die instantly on the road!!! I heard about this accident though FM 933 yesterday morning. Further more i was still talking about this incident.... Never never expect that this accident involved him.... Now my feeling is like lost a friend and i'm feeling sad in a way....
At first i thought i will never receive any flowers from him anymore but never i expect i received a call from office saying that i have a bouq of flowers to collect and the sender is this guys....


I really hate thoes in-responsible driver... They drink and drive end up cause other people life!!! Further more this F*** drive drink and drive... This accident happen at TPE towards SLE on 12 feb 2006 morning around 4plus!!! The drunken driver age around 20plus and he is driving a lorry, lets pray hard that he will get a super heavy pay back for what he had done!!!!

I would like to remind myself and everybody out there, we should treasure every moment and most importantly we got to treasure our love one and family before its too late.... Some time when we say goodbye to someone, that's maybe the last time you be seeing them.....

Thanks for reading
Best regard

 

[tinklebella]

Ya. Agree. Irresponsible drivers are really a nuisance.

 

[joily]

i cried when i read the very first one.. im sure it wun happen to my little precious..

 

[the_grape]

oh dear.. its a very sad story.

 

[blue_gal]

I was suppose to be still angry with my fiancee because he did something wrong yesterday...but after reading all these stories, I feel im so blessed to still be able to have him around me..
Im not angry anymore infact im angry with myself for being so petty.Thank you for the stories.

 

[shellie]

Hey guys, i've beautiful, lovely and very touching story to share. hope u all enjoy as much as i did. http://www.teddystallardmovie.com

Shellie

 

[sha82]

Hi Suz.. these stories are so so beautiful.. thank u for sharing... makes me really regret the way I am towards my bf sometimes... am going to meet him later and give him a big big hug...

 

[wendily]

i believe there are some ppl who might think of ppl like myself or the others.. very fake, after reading the stories then wanna treat bf/hb/anyone nicer. But what some morale of the stories really 'wake' me up. At times, we assume many things and create imaginations ourselves which are not true. When a person doesn't do things the way we expect them to do, does not mean that they do not care.

After reading the stories, i could relate so many of it to my own experience, like bf not saying I love you, bf not romantic.. but on the other hand, i know that he loves me, and sometimes no words or actions, does not mean he do not care.

So better start to watch my own temper, stop throwing tantrums.. and be nicer to him.

 

[vingirl]

Hi Suz,

Thks for sharing those touching stories.

 

[vi_choo]

I read a Korean touching story and since then, its alway in my heaad

 

[elvin_yeo]

So many touching stories. Thanks for sharing!

 

[sophy23]

Thanks for sharing these touching stories