Nurturing the pillar of strength

EVEN the best among us occasionally take family for granted. Hence, there will always be a place for the National Family Celebrations, now in its in 24th year.

With Singaporeans feeling the pinch of the recession, this year's celebrations — kicking off on Saturday — will include affordable or free activities, so that families on tight budgets can still take part.

"The family is the most reliable and strong pillar of support, which we can count on, especially during trying times," said Mr Lim Soon Hock, co-chair of the celebrations' organising committee.

"The support, be it emotional or otherwise, that is received and provided within the family can help to keep us grounded, maintain a positive frame of mind, and make us feel loved and cared for."

And spending time together meaningfully needn't necessarily cost a lot of money. Activities like Family Day Out are free, while the business partners this year — such as the Night Safari and Wild Wild Wet — will be offering special discounts.

Said fellow co-chair Mr Seah Kian Peng: "It can be as simple as coming together for a meal, or catching a movie ... the important thing is to make time for each other."

With a straw poll showing that 90 per cent of Singaporeans want to spend more time with their families, but could not find time to do so, Mr Lim felt the celebrations are important. "(They) serve as a constant reminder that family relationships, like all relationships, need to be nurtured and tended to, whether in good times or bad," he said. LIN YANQIN

From TODAYOnline.com; see the source article here.

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