Patchworks

Nothing is more valuable than time spent with my own grandparents. Watching their eyes glimmer with rekindled passion, I listen as they indulge in retelling their past experiences. But what struck me most was how these experiences are merely memories, and how they were unable to recall exact details, dates and time to give a full vivid picture of them. Unlike an old photograph that preserves every detail of that particular moment, our memory is subjected to the effects of time. We forget, our memory fail us. Nostalgia thus becomes important, because emotions are attached to these memories. There is a sentimental need for the past, and we relive those emotions through the act of retelling stories and experiences. Putting an emotion to these memories and then preserving them in stories therefore gives them a voice, a place in our society. We all thus have a part to play as individuals, like my grandparents in passing on experiences, memories and valuable lessons that are unique to every single voice of Singapore to preserve traces of nostalgia here.

An escape into an old love story even for a few hours is certainly worth making as we enter a different yet familiar world where the idea of love steers away from what the modern society makes it out to be. This is a story of two distinct individuals who never imagined they could end up as lovers, as soul mates. It is also a story that brings out their individuality, and what makes them unique as voices in society. It brings us back to the nostalgic and carefree pursuit of happiness, straying us away from the complexities of modern life.

There cannot be a better way to commemorate their 50th wedding anniversary this coming July. This story, celebrates their lives as two valuable individuals whose love will be made an inspiration to others, and especially their family.

Sarah Aini

Cross-posted from Yesterday.sg on 15th June 2009.
http://yesterday.sg/2009/06/patchworks-of-loving-memory/