Reprise: Keep Holding On by Avril Lavigne

You're not alone
Together we stand
I'll be by your side
You know I'll take your hand

After much reflection and contemplation about my life, my mistakes and my regrets, I realise that life is just so fragile and short.

When it gets cold
And it feels like the end
There's no place to go
You know I won't give in
No, I won't give in

And yes, as many would say, "live the moment". But I for now I will say, live the moments of everyday. Everyday IS the moment when you think if tomorrow might not come.

Keep holding on
Cause you know we'll make it through
We'll make it through
Just stay strong
Cause you know I'm here for you
I'm here for you

I'm still alive. I have still many years to come. It's not the end yet. So what if I made a mistake about my career. I'll just start a new path. So what if I may be single. I have a good and close friends. I actually survived those rough years - self, family, work and relationships. Getting through them in some way or another. Because of family and friends. Because of God.

There's nothing you can say
Nothing you can do
There's no other way when it comes to the truth

Because after all that's through, I am still me. I will grow and I will change. But I am still me. I will still have good memories and bad ones to keep me sane. I will still live because I have a hope keeping me going. To live everyday for that one hope. I will survive and keep moving.

So, keep holding on
Cause you know we'll make it through
We'll make it through

Today, as I reviewed what I have written about a past that came back to haunt me, I realise that we all have a choice. A choice to run or a choice to face it. I have somehow managed to face it before but not fully and have since run from it until now. Yesterday and today, I faced it. I fought it and I accepted it as part of what made me who I am now. I guess life is about learning how to make the good stuff great and make the bad stuff to be, good.

So far away
I wish you were here
Before it's too late
This could all disappear

But as I ponder and think what I could do now, wondering what the heck I could do with myself, I heard a sad news. My dear friend Jo told me, her grandma passed away today peacefully while in her sleep. I have known Jo since primary school and thus know her grandma in a way.

Before the door's closed
And it comes to an end
With you by my side
I will fight and defend
I'll fight and defend

I remember this little old lady the first time I met her. She was kind of cute. She was thin and she loves to wear her nyonya batik print sarongs. She never leaves the house and was afraid of furry things. And I remember Jo telling me that she couldn't pronounce my name the first few times and I was known then as Maggi. Yet, knowing I can't speak Hokkien she tried to speak to me in Cantonese. And she actually remembers my mum and little bro. She will ask about them whenever I visit. "Chiak pao buey?" was not used as often as I would with her. Minus the long winded type of grandmother-ly concerns, that's why I still thought she was cute.

Hear me when I say
When I say "I believe".
Nothing's gonna change
Nothing's gonna change destiny
Whatever's meant to be
Will work out perfectly

Well, death is inevitable. She did have a long life considering. Eventually, we will all face a day when our kids will think we nag. We will face the day our grandchildren will think we nag longer. Eventually we will also leave this earth. But I'm sure by then, we would have lived everyday, in their own moments and be remembered for something or other.

Keep holding on
Cause you know we'll make it through
We'll make it through
Just stay strong
Cause you know
I'm here for you

We may as well live our lives the way we want it. Making sure however, that what we do does not leave a bad impression on others as much as we can. But let others have a good impresion of us as much as we can deliver. I'm through with just making everyone happy but at least I know I should make the majority contented with my actions ensuring I don't dishonour my family name nor causing my own name to be tarnished.

There's nothing you can say
Nothing you can do
There's no other way
When it comes to the truth

So, my friend Jo: keep holding on. You still got your family and your friends with you. You still have a life to live. You still need to move on. But keep with you as you go the memories good or bad whichever way that may lead you to your happiness as well as your growth. And to little old lady: rest in peace. I'm sure your family and friends will miss you. I know I would.

So, keep holding on
Cause you know we'll make it through
We'll make it through

As for myself, I just want to say thank you to all who know me out there somewhere, for in some way or another you've given me memories. And I appreciate and cherish them. I'm sure they have made me who I am today one way or another. Live everyday for itself, good or bad. Of course you must have a plan or goal for the future but while you're at it live everyday the way you want it. Live so that you may see the plan you want to have contentedly in front of you while you see your moments behind you. I know you may know it. But I just want to remind you. Cheers!

Just stay strong
Cause you know
I'm here for you

Thank you J for providing for me the comfort needed at the right moment. Always at the right moment.