The Book I'm Reading Now

ALL I REALLY NEEDED TO KNOW I LEARNED IN KINDERGARTEN(UNCOMMON THOUGHTS ON COMMON THINGS) by Robert Fulghum is a new book that I just started reading.

I've never heard of this author before. I just happened to spot this title amongst all the "inspirational" books stacked side by side on the shelf at KINXXXXXXX during one of my short breaks. Didn't seem a big deal when I bought it cos I just needed something fresh to read apart from all my military books.

However, it's probably been weeks or even months before I even opened the book. In fact, only yesterday morning on the train back from TXXXXXX PXXXX did I seriously sit down to read it.

Only one word describes my reading so far: Enlightening.

Contents fit the title to a T. Some passages may not be relevant in this current times but most of it is reflective of life.

Here's a passage that touched me deep, very very deep:

"This is kind of personal. It may get a little syrupy, so watch out. It started as a note to my wife. And then I thought that since some of you may have husbands or wives and might feel the same way, I'd pass it along. I don't own this story, anyway. Charles Boyer does.

Remember Charles Boyer? Suave, dapper, handsome, graceful. Lover of the most famous and beautiful ladies of the silver screen. That was on camera and in the fan magazines. In real life it was different.

There was only one woman. For forty-four years. His wife, Patricia. Friends said it was a lifelong love affair. They were no less lovers and friends and companions after forty-four years than after the first year.

Then Patricia developed cancer of the liver. And though the doctors told Charles, he could not bear to tell her. And so he sat by her bedside to provide hope and cheer. Day and night for six months. He could not change the inevitable. Nobody could. And Patricia died in his arms. Two days later Charles Boyer was also dead. By his own hand. He said he did not want to live without her. He said, "Her love was life to me."

This was no movie. As I said, it's the real story - Charles Boyer's story.

It's not for me to pass judgment on how he handled his grief. But it is for me to say that I am touched and comforted in a strange way. Touched by the depth of love behind the apparent sham of Hollywood love life. Comforted to know that a man and woman can love each other that much that long.

I don't know how I would handle my grief in similar circumstances. I pray I shall never have to stand in his shoes. (Here comes the personal part-no apologies.) But there are moments when I look across the room - amid the daily ordinaries of life - and see the person I call my wife and friend and companion. And I understand why Charles Boyer did what he did. It really is possible to love someone that much. I know. I'm certain of it."

I don't know who Charles Boyer was.

I don't necessarily understand Robert Fulghum's world or life(He's 70 years old this year).

But...

I understand why Charles Boyer did what he did. It really is possible to love someone that much. I know. I'm certain of it.

Thank you for being my friend and companion. One day you'll be my wife too. Good night Bebe.

Dictionary Lesson 300107

Based on The Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, the definitions of the following words are as follows:

Anger: A strong feeling of wanting to harm, hurt or criticize someone because they have done something unfair, cruel, offensive etc.

Aggression: Angry or threatening behaviour or feelings that often result in fighting

Pain: The feeling you have when part of your body hurts (DUH!)

Sorrow: A feeling of great sadness, usually because someone has died or because something terrible has happened

Remorse: A strong feeling of being sorry that you have done something very bad

Regret: Sadness that you feel about something because you wish it had not happened or that you had not done it

Stupidity: Behaviour or actions that show a lack of good sense or judgement

Mature: A child or young person who is mature behaves in a sensible and reasonable way/to become or behave sensibly like an adult

Redeem: To make something less bad/To do something that will improve what other people think of you, after you have behaved badly or failed

Love: To have a strong feeling of caring for and liking soemone, combined with sexual attraction

Devotion: Great love or loyalty/ The act of spending alot of time and energy on something

Tolerance: Willingness to allow people to do, say or believe what they want without criticizing them

Relationship: The way in which two people or two groups behave towards each other/The way in which two or more things are connected and affect each other/A situation in which two people spend time together or live together, and have romantic or sexual feelngs for each other

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It's fascinating how the dictionary can teach one so much in so little time. Sometimes when we get too caught up with the daily hassles of life, we forget or blur the definitions of certain simple words of life. Everyone should just keep a little dictionary at home or at work as reading material. A lot of times the answers to some of life's most perplexing questions can be found in that mess of words.

I WRITE AGAIN

After much deliberation and thoughts filtering, I have decided to start writing again. I guess this is the only way I can express my thoughts without pissing anyone off or hurting anyone. And it doesn't hurt that I'm on MC till 22nd Feb. Sianzzzzz....But no choice la. Guess after abusing my body for so many wretched years, it has finally given me the emergency signal to take a break.

How many entries or how long my entries will be I don't know yet. But I'll think carefully before I post. Too much crap will bore my audience of one(sometimes 4 even 6).

So here we go....Enjoy the ride!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!