20-2-26 (CNY Day 3 & Ramadan Day 1)
Yesterday, despite a downcast sky & heavy rain later, I had the good fortune of being taken to the temple to light a butter lamp, to have a vegetarian meal at Fortune Centre & to a medical appointment.
At the temple I got to meet my first retired police dog. The sweet girl had served with her life – detecting explosives & ensuring all spaces are safe before any human stepped in. 🙏 Think about that. If there were any danger, she would be the first to get hurt.
As we sat under the loving gaze of Buddha, my heart filled with gratitude to this little 4-legged girl’s role in our country’s peace & stability.
The encounter got me thinking of my favourite chinese aspiration: “风调雨顺 国泰民安”. (It roughly means may clement wind & rain bring stability to a country & peace to its people.)
It was raining when I got to the clinic. The jaunty young nurse attending to me was observing her first day of Ramadan.
Before I left, I thanked her & offered her a hong bao (red packet) to wish her a blessed Ramadan. Her face lit up still further at the unexpected acknowledgement of her dedication.
Essential & frontline staff and service animals keep our whole country running in rain or shine so that we can get on with our lives. ♥️🙏🪔
Lisa Ong 