Maybe I wasn't as strong as I thought I was. Yesterday's counselling I managed to put a brave front, but not today. My team attended Mr Loh's wake today and emotions just ran high when I presented his mother with a little token from the team. It was heart wrenching. I can't describe the feeling but it's something I wish I never had to go through again. My head still hurts from all that crying and I couldn't bring myself to eat dinner earlier. It's all going to take some time. I seriously can't go on blogging, shall post the tribute I posted on km on behalf of the team yesterday with of course Lom's flare in literature and Grace's input.


Track and Field: Our tribute to Mr Stephen Loh
Just as the mist it rises
Then vanishes way down the stream
Mr Loh too has come and then left us
Today it seems like a dream
That he was so much part of our lives
That he lived and loved as we do
Like the fish that a fisherman threw
Back in the stream to go on its way
And that is what he is doing today
To a bright new world, see the sun glitter
As he drifts from sight, though our tears are bitter
We know that he, like the salmon's leap
Will always be there in our memories deep.

Although its only been less than half a year that has gone by since Mr Loh joined the Track and Field team, it feels like he has been in this family since Day One. He contributed in a myriad of ways, often reaching out to us as a Friend and going beyond his duties as a teacher and coach. As we got to know him better, he shone just like a beacon of light to guide us along the way, be it in training or simply giving us encouragement. "Don't say Cannot, sure can one!" was something he often said to us, giving us enough motivation to follow through with the tough workout or to complete the grueling long runs. Caring not only for our progress in our sport, he constantly enquired about how we coped with our studies and how we were faring emotionally. He never scolded us, instead, he would reason it out, letting us know that he had our best interests at heart. He gave of himself and more to the team, never refusing help or putting certain tasks beneath himself, our very own giving tree. Although our first impression of him was that of a stern “Ice King”, revealed to us was the warm and jovial teacher who would joke with us, entertain us when we claim that “We’re bored!” and listen to us whine about how we find the workout “So tiring!” Even though we would constantly complain to him about how we found the workouts too tiring and the muscle aches that ensued, inside we looked forward to each of his trainings as we knew that we were getting stronger. Truly, Mr Stephen Loh built us up not only to be physically stronger but also to be mentally more resilient while encouraging us to push our limits and helping us realize our full potential.

Missing you.