Goodbye Lee Kuan Yew, our beloved founding father

I woke up to a different Singapore this morning. A Singapore without Lee Kuan Yew. He passed away at 3.18am on 23rd March 2015. 

I was expecting it but when I heard the news, I am still overwhelmed with sadness. Ever since news of him been critically ill surfaced, the nation is torn. On one hand, we wished for him to celebrate SG50 with us. On the other hand, we wished for him to suffer less and to have a good death. 

My eyes swelled up with tears when I watched the telecast of PM Lee addressing the nation about the death of his father. It is almost unbearable to watch him holding back his tears as he speaks. At that moment, it struck me that he isn't just our PM. He is also a grieving son who had just lost his beloved father and perhaps a mentor that he had looked up to his whole life. 

A friend commented on Facebook that he don't think the sorrows of those who mourns him are real except perhaps for the Lee's family members. I disagree. Just because you don't feel the same, that doesn't mean our sadness wasn't. Our grief is real. Our sorrows are real. At least I know mine are real. We may not be his family members in blood but that does not mean we won't be sad by his passing. Mr Lee Kuan Yew had became a grandfather figure (at least to people of my generation) that we had grown up with and loved. 

I haven't imagine a Singapore without him before. Yes, I know he won't live forever but the idea of him not being around just never come into my mind before. Why would I? He seems to be always there for Singapore when we need him. What is going to happen now? I am not sure. 

One thing that I am sure of is that we will pass on his legacy. I hope my children and grandchildren would love and respect him like the way I do. 

For now, the nation is mourning and will continue to do so for a long time.

Goodbye Mr Lee Kuan Yew. May you rest in peace.