Not knowing what to expect

 

The past week I have this feeling like I am standing on shifting sand, similar to when the sea waves moves the sand under your feet. 

Early in the week Singapore's oldest departmental store, the 162 year old Robinson announced its closure. My mother grew up in Chulia Street near where it was first located. She shared that it was then patronised by the Europeans and rich locals and she could only marvel at the window displays. Her cousin who worked as a cleaner perished in the store's 1972 fire. When Robinson moved to Orchard Road it no longer was the haunt for just the expatriates and the rich. As it was near to my work place I loved to drop in after a quick lunch. I really loved the store decoration especially during Christmas when the home department sparkled with exquisite trinkets and delightful gift ideas. It was voted the best dressed mall for Christmas quite a few times. Its closure signaled the irrelevance of departmental stores' business model and our changing lifestyle in general. It just makes you feel there is nothing you can hold onto forever.

Another event this week which makes me feel hollow is the US presidential election. You watch aghast as the President blatantly lied about illegal votes and fabricating a conspiracy that stole his victory, to a point that seems he was instigating his supporters to use violence. What is so shocking and incomprehensible to me is that almost half the US voters either believe him or choose to support him despite his lies and shocking behaviour.  It just defies logic. Trump once said "I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody, and I wouldn't lose any voters." It seems frightening to me that people can simply reject reasoning or are so lacking in moral fiber to maintain their support despite knowing that he lied. 

Covid-19 has already brought forth feelings of anguish. These 2 events only exacerbate my not knowing what to expect.