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By Pat Lu, Co-Founder, Pahlawan Volunteers Many have valid reasons, concerns and reservations for children participating in vigils. Here is an insight to my childhood and early teens.
My late father, Bernard Lu Hung Yuen AMN, was the political secretary to the First Minister of Finance Tun Tan Siew Sin. His children, the four siblings, were exposed to politics early in life. When dad was not travelling up and down the country “serving God, King and Country”, he either had his political meetings at our home living room, at his friends' homes or at the coffee-shops practically every night and this included weekends. The nights my father did not have these late-night-after-dinner-meetings till the wee hours of the mornings, he was either noisily hammering on his manual typewriter or noisily snoring away catching up on sleep. This was the “Music of the Night” every night. Perhaps that is why till today, I can sleep like a log no matter how noisy the surroundings. On weekends and school holidays, mom insisted that my brother and I accompanied dad to political meetings at his friends' homes or coffee shops. Not that she wanted us to learn about politics. So that we are there to nag Dad to return home early. Most times this trick does not work. We ended up sleeping on the couch at his friends’ homes or we only got to go home when the coffee shop turns off the lights. I've also accompanied my dad to numerous open houses and political dinner functions over the years, and gone “campaigning” during the General Elections too. Interested in politics then? No. Bored to death? No. I was in a world of my own, preoccupied reading fairy tales, watching TV or playing board games such as Snakes and Ladders with the children of his friends. The celebration I enjoyed most as a child was the Lantern Festival. That’s the only time of the year I get to light up lots of candles and enjoy the sight of the dancing flames all night long. By the way, Mom's nickname was "Political Widow" and “Serving God, King and Country” was the standard five-worded answer each time I asked Dad what he was doing as a child. My parents frequently quarreled. It was almost always about his late nights. Dad’s standard reply, “But I’m doing this for the sake of our future and our children’s future too!” Fast forward to present day, some 35 years later .… So here is Bernard Lu’s daughter, Pat Lu, attending vigils and lighting up candles again. In her own little special way, doing as her father did. “Serving God, King and Country” for the sake of all Malaysians and her children’s future too. By example, I hope that my children will do the same for their children too, in their own special God-given talented ways. What is “politics”, really? For all that we received from our parents, teachers and society in our growing years, it is now our responsibility to make it better for our future generations. Each of us has a duty to shape and make our society better. After all, our society is us. If we don't care about the state of our society and our country, it simply means we don't care about ourselves. View collage and videos of the 10th Mesra Raykat below: 
More pictures at http://picasaweb.google.com/pahlawan.volunteers/081214MesraRakyat# Watch the videos: A picture speaks a thousand words. Below are the videos where you can hear every word. The many reasons why all Malaysians must organize and attend vigils nationwide. Stand up and be counted in your own special way for the sake of all Malaysians and your children too. 1. The 10th Mesra Rakyat PJ – Sunday 7 December 2008 at MBPJ Civic Centre. 2. The Real Malaysia Captured on Video – The emperor's new clothes have been exposed glaringly now. The whole Malaysian dilemma is one of "UMNOPUTRAs” using the NEP to privatize national wealth. In these videos are the evidence to support this observation. See you this Sunday, at the 11th Mesra Rakyat, same time (8pm - 9.30pm), same place (MBPJ Civic Centre, PJ.) Can’t make it? There’s always the following Sunday till we see REAL changes for the better. _____________________________________________________________
PAT LU, Co-Founder, Pahlawan Volunteers, a Malaysian Voluntary and Advocacy Group.
Join Pahlawan Volunteers at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=33559455073
Past Vigils Video Archive: http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=PahlawanVolunteers&view=playlists 
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The Blogs 
All are welcomed. Bring your family and friends. MBPJ City Counselor Richard Yeoh has given the assurance that police permit has been obtained for the vigils. Unfortunately, this is not carried in the main stream media till today.
Bloggers, please help to spread the news. Feel free to use this image to invite everyone to attend the vigils every Sunday.
Pat Lu