Coincidental, or God?

I left home on the 14th of July, 2008. To study, to achieve a dream I harboured since a relatively young age. My departure was sudden, unexpected, none expected me to leave home at age 17.

You too departed on the 14th of July, only it was 10 years ago. Your departure, foreseen many years before, caused a 7 year old child to mature overnight, to realise that life is no bed of roses. 2 kids slept without their parents for the 1st time in their young lives during the night of your departure. See how much important you are?

Tears were shed for both our departures. More tears for yours, or mine? Hearts were prepared for yours, hearts weren't prepared for mine. Yet yours was a permanent earthly good-bye, mine was merely a temporal one. That was probably the only time in my whole 17 years of life that I wailed and wept so hard, and everyone around me was helpless, not knowing how to comfort me. After your departure, I hardly ever cry, up to today. A good thing, or not? I've been hardened, I suppose. Life has treated me pretty harshly at times but thanks to you, I pull through all things with minimal damage.

I marveled at the day I reached 16. You know why.

On the day I said good-bye to you, I never imagined I would be leaving home exactly 10 years later. Truth be told, I still can't believe it. People who live in PJ don't usually leave home for studies unless they go overseas.

Thanks for teaching me so much. In your own silent manner you gave me many lessons that so few ever learn at such a tender age. I'm sorry that I was ashamed of you before. :-( You are my fuel now though, even after 10 years. Just for your information, the lessons you taught, the gifts you left, have far from faded away.

You were given permission to let go of us, albeit unwillingly, but still, the departure date had arrived. The 14th of July.

Well, anyway, take comfort in the fact that you are in a better place than I am right now! Hahaha. Can't wait for the day I leave for it too. :-) I mean, yeah, seriously you should take a look at the place I'm in compared to yours! I won't bore you with the details though, just letting you know that I'm finally settled in, had a rough first few weeks but things have been going uphill since then.

That being said..

I don't think the 14th of July, 2008 was a coincidence. A reminder, perhaps?