It’s the first weekend of 2022 and the news across the world is not very encouraging. The Omicron variant has been sweeping across the world with almost 3 million new cases reported on a single day on Friday! A new third wave has been infecting across India and this could not come at a worse time for me. I am planning to fly out to India in the next few weeks and things are moving fast. I could technically cancel my trip, but then this would mean my parents will be left to fend for themselves. I can’t in good conscience do that and so I am hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst. I am triple vaccinated and will wear multiple masks throughout the trip and stay at home as much as possible.

The next few weeks are going to be full of trepidation as I plan this trip. I am filled with so many mixed emotions, I don’t know know what my real emotions are. On one hand, I am super excited to finally be able to meet my parents after more than 2 years, but given India’s third wave, this trip is also a scary one. Ah well, I am going to leave it all in the hands of the higher power and just hope and pray I manage to successfully come back home to Singapore.

Our family also suffered a loss this week when our beloved grandmother, my maternal grandmother suddenly passed away. She was in the hospital with a fractured shin when she was found to be positive with COVID-19. But the sad part was that she passed away just hours after being operated upon and discharged from the hospital. Unfortunately, most of us could not make it to the funeral, but I am happy she passed away in the arms of two of her daughters. She was almost 92 and one of the most healthy and active persons I have ever seen. If I am even half as healthy as she was by the time I am 60 or 70, I will consider myself very fortunate.

Our quote for today comes to us from Paul Ian Guillermo, which tells us to smile. If we are happy, smile with all our heart and let it spread and when we are sad or down, make sure that we smile, so the sadness can disapparate. As you read this, smile and keep smiling for the rest of the day, wherever you are.