Make us know the shortness of our life

Touching down in Singapore late last night after a 4-day vacation with some of the friends I love most rendered me in a content, well-rested and rather oblivious state. I didn’t feel homesick because it was a short trip, these girls are like my own sisters and we had oodles of fun. It wasn’t till No. 5 texted to ask if I was ok that the first inklings of the direful situation in Bangkok started to portend.

You can imagine the mixed feelings of gratitude and sobriety that coursed through me when before I could even pick up the morning paper in the office, certain partners whom I bumped into at reception were already exclaiming “Thank goodness you are back safe and sound!” or “Didn’t stay to join in the riots I see…” (Well, you can’t be everyone’s best friend after all).
What sealed the revelation of how my guardian angel must be working overtime was reading the following:-

Thai protests turn violent, 10 hurt
Posted: 25 November 2008 1934 hrs

Early on Monday some 10,000 protesters surrounded Bangkok's old Don Mueang international airport where Somchai is temporarily based. Protesters have occupied the prime minister's official office in Bangkok since August. Riot police largely withdrew on Monday amid fears of a repeat of clashes between protesters and police on October 7 that left two people dead and 500 injured, the worst political violence in Thailand for 16 years. The PAD, which launched huge street protests in 2006 that led to the Thaksin coup, called this week's rallies in response to a grenade attack on Thursday that killed one protester.

Bangkok airport closed after protesters stormed terminal
Posted: 25 November 2008 2230 hrs

BANGKOK - Thai authorities closed Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi international airport indefinitely on Tuesday after anti-government protesters stormed the terminal, officials and police said. "Airports of Thailand (AOL) decided to shut down Suvarnabhumi after protesters stormed the terminal.

All these developments took place within less than 24 hours of my return to Singapore. During the last 96 hours before returning home, I’d been totally oblivious as to the political turmoil that was raging in Bangkok because we were so happy for Sheryl. Perhaps it was because we did not stray from the touristy areas and stayed in the heavily guarded expatriate area.

Still, there was a lump in my throat whilst reading the reports as I suddenly recalled how a week after our return from a scuba trip with Wendy and Fiona in Phuket last January, the papers ran a story about the scuba diving accident my ex-classmate had in Perth.

I remember going to see her in the hospital and how Val’s heart and mine broke as her boyfriend told us that he’d intended to propose to her on that trip. He even had the ring all prepared, he was going to be her fiancé and perhaps husband. She was smart, funny, feisty and full of verve. In 12 minutes beneath the deep, it was all taken from her and the people who loved her.

These “close calls” always give me chills. Yet at the same time, they are such a firm reminder of how fragile life is. All these granaries of things I am working hard to prove or accumulate, they would mean nothing if a demand is made for my life tonight.

And one prays with the psalmist, 'Make us know the shortness of our life that we may gain wisdom of heart.'

the fool for Christ