First, the man who became the face of Star Trek’s Spock for decades, Leonard Nimoy. Then, Sir Terry Pratchett who created a whole fantasy Discworld for fans of all ages. And last, the founding father of a tiny nation that bloomed impossibly in just 50 years, Lee Kuan Yew, who passed away today.
These past 30 days have not been good to us. We lost three brilliant men who each made history in their different areas of influence. And two of such influence featured greatly in my own life.
I came into contact with Sir Terry Pratchett’s books at a low point of my life. His sharp wit and unique brand of humor pulled me out of the darkness I let myself fell into then, and continued to cheer me up immensely since. So much so that I indulged in a bit of retail therapy and bought as much of the Discworld series that I can find, and sank my mind into the whimsical fantasy world that Sir Terry Pratchett constructed. In a sense, he saved my sanity for a while there. May his writing live on forever in his place, and bring cheer to generations more.
Mr Lee Kuan Yew is the first Prime Minister of Singapore, and together with his ministers then, were responsible for transforming what was just a small island colony into a 1st world country. And that miracle of a nation, Singapore, is my home. It is Mr Lee’s vision and more than 50 years of his life that made us into the safe and secure country that is beautiful and prosperous today. And today, we lost this giant of a man.
It is a small consolation that all three of them have lived full long lives, and they have more than earned their rest. May they be in a better place, reunited with the loved ones who have gone on ahead of them. Rest in peace.
