Love your life

A few months back, an ex-varsity schoolmate emailed to say that a fellow schoolmate had been diagnosed with cancer. Cancer cells were found in various organs, including the brains. He was depressed in the beginning. Who wouldn’t be? Initially, the only thing on his mind was to be discharged from the hospital so that he could go back to see his kids. But he eventually came to terms with the illness and decided to fight the battle. He had been undergoing several cycles of chemotherapy over the last few months which weakened him considerably but his spirits were high with the good support of his family members and friends. He kept his friends updated about his condition via facebook and only last Tuesday he wrote that he was relieved that he had completed his fifth cycle of chemo. The results showed that the tumours had shrunk and some even disappeared. One more cycle and he could focus on the road to recovery. Great news to all of us.

This morning, I received news that he had a heart attack. He died this evening.

A week back, an online friend of mine said to me that she finds death very enchanting (死亡是一件很迷人的事). She explained why she had such thoughts. She had been reading books written by a famous gay writer and felt that she could relate her life situation with that of the author. From what I heard from some friends, this writer was very talented but egoistic. Her books are pretty grey and depressing. She died of suicide at a young age of 26 after a failed relationship. Apparently she could not accept being rejected by someone she loved and chose to end her life.

Why is it that some people choose to flirt with death when there are so many others battling hard to stay alive? I only have admiration for fighters in life, not the quitters, perhaps not even sympathy. To me, there is every reason to live and never a reason to die.

Living is the most enchanting thing in life, not dying…definitely not. Love your life.