Ponders... The Living Years

“This was written from the perspective of a son who has a conflicted relationship with his father. After his father dies, he discovers that he and his father had a much stronger bond than he ever realised, and regrets not saying more while he was alive.”

Someone once commented the above about the song The Living Years, by Mike & The Mechanics (for those who care, lyrics were posted on 5th June 2005).



I have always listened to this song since I was in primary school. Oddly enough, it has taken me passed my entire teenage years into my adulthood, to eventually feel the words of this song.

I know my parents are still alive, and I still have the chance to say the things I want to say… that I love them, I am thinking of them, and I am worried about them… but I have still yet to say. I may not even say! Well, not that they have said anything like that to me before!

So are we a loveless family? Or do we show love more by actions and not by words?

Listen here, I know we are filled with love, albeit silent about it. I always feel their care and concern. Oh how they would always try so hard to send us money so we can eat well, and buy books. In turn, they would live a very simple and sometimes miserable life, spending so very little, just for us… sometimes i feel so ashamed!

I have always wondered why my parents chose to send all of us here? Is it for a better life? A better education? A better environment to grow up???

Whatever it was, I am sure it had to be a pretty good reason to sacrifice seeing us, and bearing the painful loneliness of us not being near them. You know, what if they fell sick? Or got hurt? And where would I be? I would be so far from them… but I am already here! All comfy and used to every grass, leaves, twigs, everything here…

I thank you both for sending me here. I will not be who I am now if it were not for all your sacrifices...

I will be coming home in less than 3 weeks time…