Never have I seen nor felt my own country being so united as one. Until the
passing of our founding father; Mr Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore. He have in
many ways laid the foundation for this small and great nation of today that
I called home and am very happy and proud to be a Singaporean.
My apartment is about 20 minutes walk from Dover MRT station, where the
hearse will en route from Parliament House to University Cultural Centre
located at the National University of Singapore where the state funeral
service is held. The estimate time of the arrival of the hearse is 130pm.
At about 1245pm I started packing my gears. Mounting the 23mm lens on
the a XT-1. Plus a 14mm and a 56mm. Suddenly the weather took a turn and
it started to rain cats and dogs. Immediately I change the entire lens line up.
Because of the unpredictable weather condition I mounted the 16-55mm WR
on the XT-1 and brought the 50-140mm WR along too. So with a raincoat we
are all weather seal!
With a heavy heart, I took along my trusted comrade, Audrey. Also known as
the wife and my 4 years old daughter, Summer. To give our humble respect and
say our final good bye to our nation’s founding father. A man that will always
leave a deep footprints even after he is gone. His legacy is seen everywhere in this
beautiful island nation.
With one umbrella for both of them to share and a raincoat for myself. I didn’t
want an umbrella so that my hands are free to take photos of this poignant moment
in time. Our short journey along the canal was never alone. There was many fellow
Singaporean also walking in the same directions. As I was wearing a raincoat; along
came a young man and he ask if I wanted his umbrella; and he will share with his
mother’s umbrella. In this week of mourning, I could really feel in a tangible way the
love and unity in all Singaporean. There are so many acts of kindness.
As we get closer to Dover MRT; there are more and more people. Must be thousands.
It was really a squeeze and no one was upset but everyone was very patient crawling
along. We naturally couldn’t get a good spot to have a view of the road. With Audrey
carrying Summer in her arms, I have to hold up the XT-1 with 16-55mm up in one
hand to tower above the crowd in front of us. Tilting the LCD towards us to get a
better view when the hearse comes along. Singaporean were shouting out “Lee Kuan
Yew” as the hearse drove pass. The whole scene lasted for just a mere 20 seconds but
our hearts felt complete.
Thank you Mr Lee Kuan Yew, from our hearts to yours. Rest in peace, Sir.
