A month ago, no one ever thought a christmas holiday would turn into a nightmare. But to the dismay of all, it did. It's obviously not the first or the deadliest natural disaster that has ever taken place on earth. But I know for sure, the majority of this generation learnt about 'tsunamis' for the first time in thier lives, after the deadly attack it made against our race.

Never again, as long as these memories remain, would anyone stand still fascinated by large waves moving at great speeds. Not in this generation would anyone look at the sea without thinking how destructive it could get. The world has learned something new. At least something that most didn't have the interest or time to learn. And the price was paid by thousands of innocent lives. Most who made the seaside thier home, and considered the sea as thier best friend.

We hear so many stories from survivors, some emotive, some terribly frightening, some even spurious. But what we would never hear are the stories of those who died. People who did all what they can but failed, people who saved many lives but not their own, people who gave into nature by willing, people who made a choice between land and sea and people who were dead even before they knew it. Would there have been any chance that they could have survived? Any at all? We wouldn't know, cos their no more with us. These are stories that put our very own lives in perspective. Stories that make us think what's being a human is all about.

Those who perished are now lying in peace. Those who survived are struggling to live. Who are the fortunate ones? The living or the dead? It seems like an easy answer, but do we really know the merits of either of them? I suppose not.

As I observe a minute of silence in memory of those who perished, I also come to think of how destiny will shape the future of those who survived. A month ago we all had a change of heart and it has come all this far. I hope it stays intact so that no matter what lies ahead of us, we will always stand as one united family and face everything together right till the very end of our lives. That's the least we could do for those unfortunate victims of this fateful misery.