Remembering....31 August

Last week in August.....the country will be celebrating its 52 anniversary of independence on 31 August. I remembered so vividly the year 1957, 31 August when Malaysia got its independence. I was in year 2 Primary School. The Union Jack was lowered down from the flag pole and the Malaysian flag was raised and we all sang the national anthem. Obviously, we were taught the national anthem weeks before so that we can all sing the song by heart. Ever since that day, on this auspicious day, we had gatherings and parades on the town field. While in Primary School, i was always a spectator at the parades. When i entered Secondary School and joined the Girls' Brigade, i took part in the parades. I remembered also certain years we had beautifully decorated floats going round the streets of Teluk Intan after the parade in the field. Of course it was always the Boys' Brigade Band that led the parade then. How proud i was of the boys in blue. Our school has the only band in the town then.....the Anglo-Chinese Secondary School.
Many years down the line, on 31 August, i remembered this day my Dad passed away. It is already 22 years now. I too remembered this day so vividly. We were watching the T.V. when my nephew called me and told me that my Dad was gasping for breath and within minutes he was gone. So this special day will always bring back sweet and bitter memories for me.....the day the country celebrates its independence and the day my Dad chose to migrate to another planet.