There are many ways to remember today

The Google Map told me that I will be there 10 minutes before time. The first bus was on time. The second bus was 15 minutes late from the schedule. When the third bus seemed to be also late, I called grab instead. But, I put in the wrong start location so I had to cancel and paid the fee. I knew exactly that I will not make it.

I booked a tour to explore the history of WW2 in Singapore. The tour visits multiple places on the East and West of the island. Since the tour move by coach bus, I supposed to present at the meeting point on time.

At that moment I was very frustrated. Why I let this mistake happened. Why I turned a considerable amount of money wasted. Why I cannot be on time.

Then the phone rang. She was the staff of the tour. I informed her that I am still on the way and unlikely to make it. She confirmed to me that the tour already started. The next thing she did is to offer me to meet with the group at the next destination of the tour. I wholeheartedly accept the offer. We called again several times to confirm the location. At one time, the signal was so bad and she messaged me instead. I expected to be declined but she worked her best to fix my mistake.

I arrived at the location some times later. I was worried. The guide and other people must wait because of me. Then the guide welcomed me with a smile on her face. She greeted me and introduced me to the group. The group was small just less than ten people. They seem to not interested in my presence. That is understandable since I made the group late.

At the first stop, I learned about a big cannon that used to be here. The cannon was time fuze. The bullet denotated after the enemy come to see and run away. A questionable threat to the Japanese troop.

On the coach bus, the guide distributed water bottles. I sit on a little bit far back. A group’s participant asked if I need water from the distant and brought to me. At that point, I thought maybe other people were not mad at me like I thought.

We visited many places that tell the tale of how the Japanese approached Singapore. Also, the place that holds the memorial of the brave people.

At one point, I talked to other group’ participants. They were friendly. We talked about how kangaroos are like in their home country.

Till the end of the trip, the guide had talked to me either about history or casual things. I said thank you to her again and she showed me the smile that I had always seen since the beginning.

When I reached my place, I reflected on what happened today. I wondered how should I remember today. I made a big mistake and my mind was ready to beat me down with eternal whisper within my head. I was awestruck with the hospitality of the staff and friendliness of the guide. I was intrigued by the fact that an area was named after the tree though the tree no longer existed there due to rapid urbanization. I was enjoyed by chitchat with people who I just met within a few hours. I was touched by how the cruel time of war turned to peace.

I put the record of my mistakes at the bottom and put the record of memories that make me happy at the top of the pile of what should I recall for today. I wonder whether I am slacking to become a more responsible person. I wonder whether I am deserved to be happy after I made mistakes. But, I know that I want to be happy.

That is when I realized there are many ways to remember a day and how one can choose to feel about one’s life.

PS. The tour was conducted by Original Singapore Walks and I highly recommend it :)

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