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Gratitude doesn’t have to be grand. It lives in the little moments that make life beautiful.
The lunar calendar brings forth the horse zodiac animal for the year 2026. I, being born in 1954, come under this sign and have been through six full zodiac cycles.
I strongly believe there is a unique bond between those born in the Year of the Horse.
In honour of the horse, known for its poise, grace and loyalty, I would like to take this opportunity to support my stance. I also wish to pen a few words of appreciation and gratitude to those who have been there for me when it mattered most during my working years.
First to come to mind is my friend, Cheun Heng Thye, who was a teaching colleague at SMK Tengku Idris Shah in Kapar, Selangor. I have known him since the 1990s.
When I was head of the Science and Mathematics Department, he came under my purview as a Mathematics teacher.
Cheun is exactly one zodiac cycle (12 years) younger than me and shares the same horse zodiac sign.
During my tenure as department head, he gave me his full support and cooperation. He was a committed and diligent teacher, a joy to work with, and always ready to lend a helping hand with a smile.
I remember a day when my faulty petrol gauge failed me and my car ran out of fuel. I immediately called him for help, and he came to my rescue without hesitation.
To this day, Cheun and I meet once a month. He insists on fetching me in his car each time, perhaps out of respect. Such gestures are a rarity nowadays, especially since I retired from service.
It could also be a reflection
of his humble beginnings in Kampung Sg Mati, Muar, Johor.
Coming from a large family, he helped his parents in the rubber estate after school.
He is one of the few people who still spares a thought for me, while many others, I realised, were merely fair-weather friends.
We usually spend an hour together over thosai, roti canai and kopi-C at our regular spot.
The next person who comes to mind is Cecilia, who taught at SMK Methodist (ACS), Klang, Selangor when I was the senior assistant.
She too belongs to the horse zodiac sign, a good 12 years my junior.
Cecilia is one teacher whom I hold in high esteem for the way she carried out her duties.
When she was appointed head of the Resource Centre (Library), she accepted the responsibility without fuss, taking great pride in her work. Rarely did she come to see me with problems, as she was fully capable of handling the portfolio on her own.
This was a great relief, as I was serving as acting principal at the time and had my hands full managing two important roles simultaneously.
Most importantly, she performed her duties without expecting anything in return. She sincerely believed it was part and parcel of being a teacher.
A few years later, she received the Excellence Service Award, a recognition she rightfully deserved, having carried out her responsibilities honestly, diligently and without complaint.
Moving on, Hasim Sayuti, born in 1966, also came under the horse zodiac sign and is someone who I greatly appreciated. He was a member of the office staff at the last school where I served.
Hasim was a vital cog in the office setup at ACS. Responsible and dependable, he was always in the thick of things, ensuring that the office machinery functioned smoothly.
When I retired, he took it upon himself to present me with a water fountain. I was humbled by his noble and generous gesture.
A few years later, when the school held a fundraising dinner, he sponsored my attendance. It was a kindness I have never forgotten, especially when many others of higher stature had barely taken notice of me after retirement.
Hasim was due to retire within a few months, but tragedy struck and he passed away far too soon.
Lastly, on the home front, my son, born in 1990, comes under the horse zodiac too. He typifies the horse’s spirit – always on the move and always looking after our needs.
He is a thoughtful and caring son, not only towards me but also towards his mother and siblings.
The real life examples of these individuals born in the Year of the Horse lend some credence to my belief that they share a certain affinity with me, perhaps because we possess the same vibes.
Indeed, it takes a lifetime to know one’s true friends.