Here I was, tidying up my stuff after my mom had told me to do so about a hundred times. I wanted to finish as fast as I could just so I could get back to doing nothing. 

Having picked up more things than my hands could handle, I dropped everything onto the floor.

A framed picture stood out - one of my late grandmother. 

It’s been a while since I saw you, grandma, I miss you. 

You’ve been gone for too long and yet it’s like you never left us.

Another picture stood out - one of the whole family, gathered a long time ago. 

Some of the people who were present that day have now left us. 

That got me thinking: how long do we have left?

None of us knew back then that our last gathering was taking place - we were only having fun, making memories. 

If only we knew: maybe then, we would have talked about more significant things.

Maybe then, we wouldn’t have been so caught up by little things and could have focused on what mattered: us, together.

The last memory I have of my grandma was of me helping her wear her socks and kissing her goodnight – I love that memory.

Having replayed it a million times in my mind over the years, I am grateful that my last memory with a person that meant so much to me is a memory of kindness - an act that is pure and gentle and that showcases my love in its purest way.

But now, as I reflect, why is it that I feel like I might not get to have that with my loved ones - a closure that I will hold on to, and that, in time, will restore peace to my mind? 

What is it really that now makes us feel like leaving our loved ones with anything but a kind gesture is by any means acceptable?

Caught up in everything and yet nothing, how did we lose sight of what it is to be good? What it is to be kind?

Deep in my heart, I know that it would crush me, having a memory not as worthy be deemed as a last one, let alone being a memory of me not being kind to the people that matter most to me in life.

A framed picture stood out. 

I did not recall all of the details the picture had captured but I do recall the feelings, the jokes, the sneaky smiles - all of which the picture didn’t capture but helped me remember. 

Memories - of simpler times, of kinder whiles. 

I picked up the frame and placed it next to my bed as a reminder, to focus on what matters - to be kind. 

Grandma, you who would always bring me chocolate and tease me whenever I cried, I shall pass on your legacy to my kids, and teach them that: they might not know you, but there was a time, where our lives have coexisted and your soul has touched mine.

They might not know you but they will know of you and they will know too, that people may come and go but the most important ones will always remain closest to our hearts wherever we go.

And so, here’s to focusing on what really matters: the smiles of our parents, the moments shared together, the ups and the downs, the unconditional love and the unbreakable bonds.

May we never be anything but kind to us and to all. 

Lastly, shall we vow: to cherish what we have and to never take for granted as one might not know, each passing moment might be the last to hold.