The old factory which still runs

December the first, what a date to remember. The first day of my favourite month. Well, basically today, I spared myself of a couple of lessons of jap revision just to watch this amazingly meaningful show on channel eight, and I must say, it was really really meaningful, and it should be something everyone should be watching and learning from. This show basically shows us the realities of some of the poorest and most needy singaporean lives out there. Today's episode just hit me real hard. Ass hard.

Imagine.

You're old and you're in your 70s. You were happily married with five children, with a job, and a nice little house.

Well, sadly, your life changed. You lost your job, and you had to find odd jobs to feed your family.

Your fourth and fifth children both committed suicide. You adored them so much. The youngest one would always get you expensive clothes and provide you with money often. Sadly, her husband lived off her and she decided to end her life. You don't even know if she really killed herself or whether she was murdered.

Your children were really close, they loved each other so much. Too much. After the deaths of the fourth and the fifth, your first and third children couldn't take it and they decided to escape reality. They shut themselves up in their own worlds. They were hurt really badly. They no longer exist in the same mental state as they did.

Your wife couldn't take it as well.

Your second child was hurt, but not as badly as the other two. He was the only one working other than you. He's overseas, you couldn't see him.

Your grandchild lives with you. She's the daughter of your last child. She hardly comes home. You're afraid that she'll end up in bad company like how your fourth and fifth child did, but you couldn't do anything about it. You had too many things to do at your age.

Your house was in a mess. No one had beds. Your rooms were filled with things you collected. You had no choice. You had to keep them because you were a karang guni. There was hardly any space to walk, maybe there was just enough room for your feet. Your son had to sleep on a broken bench with a table top, you had a small bench with your wife, your daughter had to sleep on the floor.

You and your wife had heart problems, both of you couldn't afford medicine. You'll rather die than pay for your medical bills. You had to use the money to feed your family.

You only had instant noodles. Your good meals were more meat and vegetables from the economical rice stall downstairs at the coffeeshop at around two to three dollars.

Have you ever thought of dying? Have you ever thought of giving up? Have you ever thought of just escaping from this cruel world?

Of course.

However, if you were going to go, who would be there to take care of your family? You decided to stay and bear this responsibility. You're old, sick and poor. But deep down inside, your mind, your soul and your heart remain strong. They will continue to burn and shine, all the way until you make your way to the skies.

The old factory which still runs. I believe it is optimism that keeps this old man going. He is truly admirable, and for him, I'll remember what optimism really is like and I'll always remain as strong as I can to bear any responsibilities that I may have.

The world may come to an end one day, the sun may come crashing, the entire human race may abandon and betray me, but with optimism, I'll always remain strong myself and keep those around me safe and sound.

December the first shall be Optimism Day. For the sake of mankind, for the sake of all those who need help, for the sake of all the forsaken ones, the able-bodied, healthy and alive shall remember this date and strive to make a difference in the future. These people may be needy, weakened, poor, but they are still living. Their will to live shall push us to greater heights, and that we must help them to better their lives. These people deserve to live better lives. Life isn't fair, but we'll have to try and make theirs as fair as much as possible.

The old factory which still runs. I shall brush up my skills, hire as many workers as possible, and make sure the factory will keep on running. I'll clean it, maintain it and even upgrade it.

Keep your factories running, or die trying. I may not save all factories in this world, but I'll die trying to do so as well.