Friendship

A Visit That Became a Reminder

Yesterday, I visited an old classmate who had just lost his mother after several weeks of illness due to old age. I had just returned from Dumai for a week-long break and took the opportunity to pay my respects and reconnect.

The last time we met in person was around 1996 — nearly 30 years ago. After school, each of us went our separate ways, carrying our own journeys, struggles, and responsibilities. Our connection survived only through Facebook and a school WhatsApp group. We knew each other’s names, but not the stories behind them.

At the cemetery, I unexpectedly met two other classmates — also people I hadn’t seen in almost 30 years. In that brief moment, we exchanged greetings, asked about life, and shared a few updates before returning to our own commitments.

I said to them,
“We are now approaching 50. We have long passed our 40s. We’ve been through many trials and tests in life — ups and downs, joys and sorrows — things only we and God truly know.”

Many from our batch have disappeared from the radar. We don’t know where life has taken them or what they are going through. Some may be doing well; others may be silently struggling in ways not everyone can understand.

But as friends, we should at least try to reach out. To ask how they are doing. Because we know some among us may need help — if not financially, then emotionally. And even if we cannot help directly, perhaps another kind-hearted friend can help lighten their burden.

This visit also brought back a memory from 2018, when I lost a former trainer who was also a military officer. He was a former commander who served during the Tanduo incident in Lahad Datu and was stationed in Sabah for more than three years.

At that time, I was also in Sabah. But I only found out that he had been there after he returned to Peninsular Malaysia and became critically ill. We exchanged a few messages on Facebook and WhatsApp before he eventually passed away.

The guilt still stays with me.
He had been so close geographically — yet I never knew. Had I known earlier, I would have reached out, visited him, or at least checked in.

Since then, I’ve made a conscious effort to reconnect with old friends. To be more active in WhatsApp groups. To send simple messages on Facebook.

The truth is, a single line of message can be enough to bring comfort to someone who may be going through a difficult time.

“How are you?”
“Let’s grab a coffee.”
“Wishing you good health.”
“Happy birthday.”
“Congratulations on your achievement.”

These words may seem ordinary.
But to someone who is struggling, they can mean everything.

Because in life, we may not be able to save everyone.
But at the very least, we can make sure no one feels alone.

#LifeReflections #FriendshipMatters
#ReachOut #StayConnected #CheckOnYourFriends #GrowingOlder
#LifeLessons #Gratitude #HumanConnection #MomentsThatMatter #NeverTooLate #Kindness #Remembering #WeAreNotAlone