Vigil Children – Let It Be

Love truly comes in every colour like the rainbow with a kaleidoscope of variety, diversity and joy. I love to walk down the memory lane with a recollection of those childish delights which I often cherish that will go into raptures in the years to come.

A good way to start thinking like a child is to abandon our judgment and knowledge of what is practical and starts asking playful questions and give playful answers. Tell a child that you want to go “si si” instead of clearing your bladder. Tell a child that you want to “mum mum” instead of eating and tell a child that you want to “oui oui” instead of sleeping. Try it on your spouse and you will end up in Tanjong Rambutan (Hospital Bahagia) because you have too many ripe “rambutans” hanging within reach.

When I was a child, I yearned to be in an adult’s world, and when I am an adult I know it is more meaningful to be a child. For all their innocence and wonder, I know children may not obey but they will listen unlike an adult who might lead himself astray. Like flowers and blossoms that attract the bumble bees, children attract LOVE.

EyeSpy took a peek into a child’s mind from the face that hides no lies. His dedication is to all the children at the candlelight vigil.

Papa, will the flame burn my hands?

He smiles and shakes his head to say no,

Because her Papa knows a child speaks like a child, thinks like a child and does like a child.

Mama, why my candle becomes shorter?

She smiles and squats to her height,

Because her Mama knows the child grows as fast like a shortened candle will be to know the meaning of the lights.

Papa, why my friends have no candles?

He looks around and pats her head,

Because her Papa knows they have their candles burning brilliantly in their hearts too.

Mama, why we hold the candles?

With her palms on her child’s cheeks,

And in teary eyes her Mama knows the ignorance of a child will be the wisdom to glow like the lights

(Then she turns to me)

Uncle, why you are not holding a candle?

I arch over and whisper into her ears,

She looks up at me with tilted head and in dilated eyes from what she hears, “Love, you are the flame that will keep shining in everyone’s heart.”

Adults should know that the best way to reach children with this message is not only to "talk the talk," but also to "walk the walk." To show love, is to receive love and children can feel it. You will agree because we were children once and now we are the “overgrown” children who still need to give and receive love.

When we see them laugh, we see a beautiful world of ignorance comes to life. And when we see them cry, our hearts melt like a candle wax beyond salvage. We must not allow their gentle spirits to be clouded by our turmoil and do not let them see no love about them. We have to allow them to see hope, compassion and value in life because children are a joy that bring smiles to touch even the coldest heart!

Children learn what they live

Children live what they learn

Show them the way to love in their hearts

And they will find out in the world.

(Taken from the album of Desiderata)