The Flag Still Flies High?

Three Merdekas ago, Christopher wrote a post in my blog for Merdeka. Merdeka came and went, I have wished that he would write another heartwarming piece. But, Chris "shooks his head three times" - No, no, no, mummy, I have nothing to write.

Chris grows. He still remembers. He still listens. He still watches. He still learns. He still sees. He still feels. He still moves. He still smells. He still touches. He still loves. He still runs. He still jumps. He still yells. He still sings. He still dances. Can Merdeka be different to him now that he has a prejudicial mind of the land that he stands? What's wrong with our nation?

I hold many things dear in my heart. This one, I know I would keep for as long as I could remember. Indulge me again, dear friends, for another heartwarming time with a ten-year-old who has just turned thirteen -

Merdeka
Christopher Lau

My mother says I am still a very tiny bud. I think small as I am, I am still called a flower. A flower needs to be nourished and guided.

Thank you, my parents, I am protected and guided.
Thank you, Malaysia, the land where I stand.
Thank you, God, I am growing each day.

My classmates and I like to form other meaning with words. Merdeka in our own foochow dialect sounds like “selling pig legs”. “Malaysia Boleh” in our foochow dialet sounds like “Don’t eat glass”.

So, everyday, we shout “Merdeka”, “Malaysia Boleh” and the like. We have fun. We have joy. Today, on Merdeka Day, I want to truly say, “Merdeka, Merdeka” in its true meaning.

I want to fly a flag also on my mother’s car. I think it is so nice to see the flags flying. But, my mother does not like the idea. She says flying flags does not really show a person’s love for the country. True enough. this morning we just passed by a small car with more than 10 flags flying high. They overtook us and the passengers popped out their heads and showed monkey faces to us.

So, I think the flag really flies in our hearts.

We went to the church cleaning this morning. It was a spring cleaning. I saw many uncles and aunties happily cleaning the church. I think I saw the flags flying in every corner of my church.

I used to like August very much. Why? Because on the first day of the month, it is my birthday, in the middle of August it is my grandfather’s birthday, then on the last day of the month, it is my country’s birthday. There is a reason to celebrate on 1st, 15th and 31st. But, my grandfather went back to the home of the Lord last year. Now, August has become a month with a reason to remember my grandfather on the 1st, 15th and 31st.

I remember. I listen. I watch. I learn. I see. I feel. I move. I smell. I touch. I love. I run. I jump. I yell. I sing. I dance. I am not a great person. Malaysia is my country. I am one small star. But, my mother says that’s wonderful too.

Happy Merdeka Day.

My Merdeka thoughts -

...and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8)

Jerusalem is the people close to me. Judea and Samaria are people near and different from me .... could I be God witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth?