April 28, 2006

Life isn’t so cruel as it seems. We cannot always put our burdens on it, sitting on a couch and thinking that all that is happening is because of this harsh life, this is not what brave men do. Only a coward can say this. Yes, life has given me reasons to cry, it took away some precious things from me that I have a million reasons to hate it. But still, I love my life, because apart from the bad days, I have enjoyed good days too, I have got everything I ever wished for, I am succeeded in every walk, and I have got some prettiest memories of 28 years to rejoice for over the next 28 years.

General Mathew Joshua wasn’t only my grandfather but my teacher, guardian, a ray of hope in my life. He was like a warm quilt after a troubling day. He taught me that struggling and keep learning are the two keys to carry on in the life. He made me realize that a motherland always gives it inhabitants huge that if we could spend our whole life paying it the debts, it would still be less. He was the man behind all my success and even if I get a lifetime to talk and write about him, I would go on with it and my words wouldn’t end because this is how much I love him.

I, Captain Dr. Carter Ethan Mathew, serving the Canadian Armed Forces as a Medical Officer for over three years, on my grandfather’s 15th death anniversary, who fought bravely with Small Cell Lung Cancer just like he fought for his country and died peacefully with no regret and pain, proudly say that it is an honor to be his grandson and it is an honor to live in this country.

As I flinched confidently from the rostrum, I could see my parents wiping the tears off from their faces. I shook my head and moved towards the stairs with the applauding sounds arising from behind.

The End!