Monday, December 23, 2019

Christmas Message: 'God Used Your Blog To Bring About This Happening': CYLin

Image result for clip art five people hugging each other

When I wrote to CYLin, who has been a regular contributor, for a Christmas Blog Message, she hesitated as usual.  It is not easy to write a meaningful Christmas message.

Then this episode, which happened recently, brought about a revelation which cannot be explained.  You need to read the whole article to understand and an earlier posting by CY to appreciate her story.
Maria Carey with 'Joy To The World'

Andy,

Where did the time go?  It wasn't that long ago that the Xmas decorations were taken down and stored. Now they're up again. Couldn't believe my eyes when I saw in a public area along Jalan Bukit Merah the God of Fortune with all the attendant lanterns, gold coins. But Chinese Lunar New Year is not till 25 January 2020!!!  We are fighting against time.  We are fighting against climate change.

As we go into the season of Christmas and what it means, I would like to share how time and happenings are sometimes within/not within our control.

In July 2015, I posted in your blog about Dr Lim Boon Keng's kampong at 1 Paterson Hill where families of different races lived in rented rooms in his big atap-roofed mansion. The adults were mostly neighbourly and the kids of varying ages were the most happy - climbing trees and running wild in the big field fronting the house.  Today, some people talk about trying to make life in the public housing estates just like in the kampong days.  Can this happen?

In August 2017, in the blog I reminisced about my Home - Singapore and the places that are now gone; lost to progress.  1 Paterson Hill, my home from the mid 40's to early 70's was one.  
Image result for boon keng mrt
The Boon Keng MRT named after Dr. Lim Boon Keng, as discussed in the message.

A reader of this second post had asked how he could contact the writer (I did not use my full name for the blog).  He too did not reveal his identity but mentioned that he was a descendant of  Doctor Lim and that he and his co-writer were planning a book on the Doctor's final years at 1 Paterson Hill.  Unsure how genuine this request was, there was complete silence on the Singapore front.  He was persistent - wrote you a few times.

In December 2018, I mentioned this case to my brother, a technophile.   He made enquiries.

Revelation - Doctor's grandson whom we played with for years till the early 60's when he emigrated to USA without a parting word.  On 6 November 2019, he and his co-writer were in Singapore to present some of his grandfather's belongings to the Asian Civilisation Museum. 

This visit was also to attend a school reunion and of course to catch up with his long lost childhood friends.  During his month's stay, we had five nostalgic and for me emotional sessions.  God has used your blog to bring about this happening.  Truly, IN HIS TIME, HE MAKES ALL THINGS BEAUTIFUL.

Thank you Andy.  A blessed Christmas to you and family and your readers.

CYLin.

Read Part One:

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2015/07/dr-lim-boon-kengs-kampong-paterson-hill.html
'In His Time, He Makes All Things Beautiful' is a hymn relevant to this story.

Lim Boon Keng's grandson is seated in the middle and all others are to remain anonymous, according to the wish of the writer.

You can read more about Lim Boon Keng from Wikipedia:
He is a legacy and has places named after him in Singapore like Boon Keng Road, Upper Boon Keng Road, Boon Keng MRT.

He co-founded the Singapore Chinese Girl's School (SCGS) and Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC).

21 comments:

JANE DICK (CANADA) said...

Hello Andy,

I hope all is well with you and yours and that you are enjoying the
holiday season.

Wishing you and all your family a very Merry Christmas and every
possible blessing in the New Year.

Warmest and fondest regards,

Jane Dick in Winnipeg.

MICHAEL LEE (SYDNEY AUSTRALIA) said...

Hi Andy, The Almighty works is way we seldom understand and some would think even non nonsensical but He is always right. Cheerio, Christmas is about love and sharing joy and happiness.

Andy I am no saint, just a crazy santa but not santa claus.
Cheerio

RICHARD PAUL M. said...

Same wishes from me to you

ANTHONY TAN KH. said...

BLESSED N MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU N FAMILY.

ELAINE SUNG said...

SO SO FAST 2019 IS COMING TO A CLOSE.
MANY THINGS TO BE THANKFUL FOR AND
MANY THINGS TO LOOK AHEAD IN 2020.
HAVE A BLESSED CHRISTMAS AND A 20/20
RENEWED VISION OF OUR LORD JESUS IN
THE NEW YEAR.

LIM KUAN MIN (FORMER SCHOOL PRINCIPAL) said...

Hi bro.
Back from Dubai so soon.
Hope some of its wealth and riches rub on you an bring you and family with abundance of good luck and fortune going into 2020.

CYLin conveys the essence of the Spiritual and Love for Humanity of Christmas.

ANNA LAW (FROM POP GIRL GROUP THE TEEPEES) said...


Wishing you a joyous
Christmas and a peaceful,
happy and healthy 2020.
Merry Christmas.

DEREK McCULLY (THE TORNADOS) said...

Hi Andy,
Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas.

JIMMY APPUDURAI CHUA said...

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR
FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AND LOVED ONES
JOY TO THE WORLD

JIMMY PRESLEE said...


MERRY CHRISTMAS

HORACE WEE said...

A BLESSED AND JOYFUL CHRISTMAS
TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
CHEERS

ANDY'S MUSIC BLOG said...

I'VE DECIDED THIS YEAR TO LIST EACH NAME
AND THANK YOU ALL FOR THE SEASON'S GREETINGS:

OOI CHONG HOCK
MICHAEL CHENG DRUMMER
CHEW HEE HONG
VINCENT TAN
ONG GHEE LEONG
STEVE HO HEARTBREAKERS
GEORGE CHEW THE DUKES
LIM KUAN MIN
SARAM JERRY
ALFRED WONG
PETER HAN TOKYO SQUARE
CHARLIE YAP LOCOMOTION
RICHARD RAJOO
FABIAN FOO VIDEO ENTHUSIAST
YEO CHOON MENG FRED
MUN CHOR SENG PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER
CLARENCE DRUMMER THE MYSTERIANS
TAN SOO KHOON THE YOUNG ONCE
NICHOLAS STRAVENS SILVER STRINGS
SEE CHOON SANG
TONY NG KEYBOARDIST
TED HA GUITARIST
WINSTON KOH CLIFF RICHARD
MATTHEW TAN OF THE MANDARINS
DAN GANA ESQUIRES
RANDY LEE KHENG STYLERS
CEDRIC CORK DRUMMER
JAN CHONG
HAFIZAH ADNAN NUS STUDENT
RONALD HO
SUWEI BERNARD
PHILIP LOON GUITARIST
IRENE YAP SINGER
HARRY CHEOK SINGER
MALCOLM HYDER BAMBINOS
JACKIE LADY
OLVER BALASHINGHAM DRUMMER
IOLEEN CHIA SINGER GUITARIST
IVAN CHEW FROM NLB
JOHNNY YEOW GUITARIST
JIMMY CHNG GUITARIST
LIM PH
LYDIA KOK LA SALLE STUDENT
MAJORIE KUALALUMPUR
MALVIN CHUA
IRIS POH
RIO LIANG EVENT MANAGER
PERRY KOH SINGER
CHRIS FLOWERS ENTREPRENEUR
DR PHIL CHAN
DR PETER CHUA
PERCY DA'SILVA SINGER
VICTOR WOO TRAILERS
PETER CHUA SINGER
PETER DIAZ SINGER OCTOBER CHERRIES
HAPPY TAY VANCOUVER ELVIS CANADA

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Thanks to Michael Bangar
For his beautiful hand-made Christmas Card
And home made videos of his grandchildren.
Which he sends each year that I've known him.
Merry Christmas Mike to you and folks too.

And to all others whose names have not appeared.
Give me some time.
Thanks

facebook chats said...

Freda Hanum
Stephen Han
Hiroshi Deguchi
Peter Cheong
Foo Jong Fook
Rose Khoo
Belinda Poh
Lim Kuan Min
Peter Lim
Yip Dick
Ho Victor
Richard Paul M
Joycelyn Leong
Mark Tan
Ser Kiong Tan
Tan Andrew

The above Facebook list of folks who LIKE CYLin's message.
Thank you.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

6 special people:

CYLIN
FREDA HANUM
STEPHEN HAN
EDDIE ENG
HENRI GANN
DR STEVEN FARRAM

who helped so much.


HENRI GANN (CALIFORNIA USA) said...

Happy Holidays Andy !

FL said...

Hello, Andy, it's 25 Dec again ! I wish you and family, a blessed Christmas. May you have good times and good health. A Merry Christmas, and A Happy New Year ahead !

HENRI GANN: (LEADER 'THE TREKKERS') said...

Merry Xmas to you Andy and All Your Blog Readers!

IRENE YAP (70S RECORDING ARTISTE) said...

Andy
That was a lovely read there.
The reunion that was brought about by your blog!
How nostalgic and emotional it must have been for them.

I just watched LIM BOON KENG THE MUSICAL about two months or so ago at the Victoria T.
Did you watch it too?
It was very well done and I learned much about him from the show.
Kudos to your blog Andy!
Keep them rolling!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU AND ALL YOUR READERS AND FRIENDS HERE.
May we all steop into a great 2020
Cheers!

SWEE LENG (CONTRIBUTING WRITER) said...

Andy
Though the day is almost over
The wishes are still as warm:
Love, Joy, Peace and Good Health...
Today tomorrow and always.

May cares and worries be few and blessings bountiful.

Warmest thoughts and best wishes for a Wonderful Holiday
and a HAPPY NEW YEAR.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Many many thanks to all those who sent greetings.
There's still some more coming in...
I shall try my best to post them all.
CHEERS.