The Belief of Red Rope

Going to visit sick people both at their places or at the hospitals is something depressing although the ones who you are visiting is getting better and better but still, you have to walk pass a lot of other tortured people..

Also, going to a funeral is something unpleasant at all.

Months ago, I heard that one of my mother’s closest friends had a cancer ~ Well, she was married to one guy but never had a kid so she liked hanging out with my mum and some more friends who have kids. Right, I used to go out with them and we had a lot of fun 🙂

Since I got to study here at Triam Udom Suksa, I’ve been busy, drowned in the sea of homework and activities so I sort of stopped meeting her and going out with her for quite a big while but when I knew that she’s got cancer, I felt guilty (Because I always denied when her husband called to ask when I’m free so we all could go tour somewhere).. so I went to buy paper and color.. and drew a picture of flowers ~ as a gift and an apology to her.

One afternoon,
“Hey! Bow! Quickly.. The club already started,” shouted Phung one day.
“Alright~ Just a second ok!?”
*Ring Ring!!*
“Hello?”
—————-
“What?! You’re kidding me..no..no..don’t lie ~ do not ever!”
—————-
It was my mum. Her friend was already dead T^T.. I could tell from her voice that she was crying loads.

I skipped club activity that day then and quickly went to the temple in order to see her for the last time before she would be put in a coffin. I arrived just in time and could watered her hand … I was shaking ..shedding tears ..couldn’t believe it.. Lots of words come in my head “I shouldn’t refuse her invitations” “I should have visited her more often when I had time.”

There were so many “I should have” and “I shouldn’t have” appearing in my head and my mind ..

At night, I was still there at the funeral for some prays ~ During that, somebody walked to me and my mum and handed us “the red ropes”. My mum grabbed it right away but I didn’t know what it was.. I was scared.. I assumed so many things about it .. I even thought it was some of her clothes’ thread ~ I denied.. then my mum stared at me and said ‘take it’.

I did and tied it around my left wrist and still wondered about it till I got home.. When I reached my home, my mum told me to keep it with something I respect so I tied it around my students’ committees’ emblem.. And mum said no more word about it.

Recently, I took a test to go to Korea to joy Asia-Pacific Youth Rally program. I was underaged so I was unqualified but I still tried and .. I got it..somehow 🙂

When I told my mum one night about it, my mum finally told me, “Last year, remember when you went to Singapore and Japan? It was after my friend’s mum funeral and I got the red rope from there..”

“Once again, you can acheive your very own dream, the dream to go abroad.. it’s after going to the funeral and getting the red rope.. so tonight, do pray to thank my mum’s friend”

Ah… Now I get it.

The red rope is the sign for goodluck, it’s actually not what Thai people believe but The Chinese instead but because most of Thai people have Chinese blood (since old times) so we do believe it, too.. and really, it’s the rope full of luck ..

Tonight, am leaving for Korea to joy the program ..wish me luck people. Although you don’t :p I know the rope will still protect me ~ because it’s a goodluck rope 🙂