people without HOPE

for those who have read my previous blogs, i have been quite busy lately... and i have not have the time to read newspapers at all. however, the occasional news i watch on tv had informed me of the tragic death of this lady who was suffering from cancer and brought her two young daughters off the parapet.

finally today, i had the chance to read about the sad incident in the new paper... for those who are pretty ill-informed of the news, this 36 year old lady found out she was suffering from womb cancer. so in her desperation, she refused treatment and brought her two young daughters (aged 2 and 4, i think) to the top of this hdb flat in chin swee. leaving behind just a bag with some belongings, she tied each of her hands to her daughters with red string. and off she jumped! leaving behind a grieving husband, parents and siblings....

i asked myself, "how can someone do this?". what can drive someone to such a stage of desperation and decide to end her life with two young lives accompanying her? didn't she give a thought to those who would mourn for her? what crossed her mind when she was on that parapet, gazing at her daughters and preparing to take the first step?

i agree with what jon said... this lady is just so selfish. she not only wasted the life she had, but also took matters into her own hands and ended the two young lives she was entrusted with. this simply showed me that there are people who are like this lady... living in a world without hope. she found out she had cancer and it proved to be too much for her. so i thought to myself, "what can we do for such people?" i'm sure there are many more like her... although not all will seek for a high-rise hdb building to jump off. and jeremiah 29:11 crossed my mind, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

there are many people in this world.. lost in the darkness... and can't see the light. this is when tragedy strikes. i don't know how many people around me ever had such thoughts racing in their minds... but i thank God that He has preserved my family and all my friends from coming to such a stage. but i see the great need for us to bring hope to people around us... tell them the meaning of joy and where we draw our strength from. but first, we must live the life we want to tell others about. how can we tell others about joy when we are always so unhappy? how can we tell others about hope when we always have pessimistic words upon our lips? let's reflect on our lives and make sure we live out the meaning of hope as an example to the world!