More Post-Operation Thoughts

Once again, I felt a sudden surge of colours around me as soon as the nurse removed the bandages over the right eye: the images were clearer and the colours a lot faster. My ophthalmologist friend’s first remark was, “Now the sky is all clear?” I looked outside: it was heavily overcast with a thunderstorm brewing. His second remark was, “Now you can play mahjong or go for more trekking.”

To my friends having cataract problems, I strongly recommend that they go for the operation, as soon as possible. Indeed, patients are getting younger, many just barely in their fifties. The reason is simple: the replacement lens will not develop cataract ever, because it is an artificial and hence inorganic matter, unlike the ones we were born with. The sooner one takes the operation, therefore, the soon one can enjoy better vision. I thank all of you out there who have been so supportive and who had sent me get well messages on Facebook and elsewhere. I am well and ready for all normal activities now and for more vigorous exercises in a week.

I can now envisage that I would not need eye glasses for reading or for most outdoor activities, but I would probably carry my sunglasses around more. I have forgotten what it was like to be able to see so clearly. Indeed I have learnt to give allowance to people who can’t see or hear clearly. After all, perfect vision or perfect hearing would only make sense for people who need it; and I suggest most of us don’t, except for those in certain professional jobs. Indeed, another ophthalmologist friend had never pushed me to take the operations, adding that many doctors would not have it unless they feel the need to.

One thing for sure is that improved eyesight does not mean improved vision or better foresight. In politics, people expect others and leaders in particular to have vision and foresight. Take our chief executive election for example, the talk of the town for weeks until Election Day had been who would be elected while at the same time the media would paint Carrie Lam as the Beijing preferred candidate. Even now, very few would say openly that Carrie Lam was returned in the Election through her own efforts, because of her abilities and track records, and because members on the Election Committee (EC) are thoroughly convinced that she is the best amongst the three candidates to lead Hong Kong in the next five years. On the contrary, many would like to believe, even if they won’t say it now, that she was returned because Beijing wanted her to be returned and because the 777 EC members had been coerced to vote for her.

Now, there is not a thread of evidence that Beijing had orchestrated a machinery to ensure that Carrie lam would be elected, for if there were, the ICAC would have been asked to open files to investigate the matter. After all, files reportedly had been opened for other more petty investigations. On the other hand, it is on the records, and hence blatantly clear and obvious, that the pan-democrats had openly ganged up and organized themselves to vote in favour of another candidate. It follows that those EC members on their camp were not free to vote freely or by their conscience, which is against the fundamental principles of elections and a practice to be condemned and denounced by any person who claims to champion for democracy.

To those who believe that Beijing would force the hands of EC members to vote for a particular candidate, or for that matter, that China would seek to meddle in the affairs of Hong Kong, I would say this. China is a big country now. China has to deal with foreign relations of over 200 other countries in addition to the 33 provinces and two SARs. Hong Kong would be somewhat megalomaniacal to think that its issues merit such attention of Beijing. Nevertheless, there will always be people who think otherwise; and we live in a free society.

For now, Carrie Lam would be busy forming her team and people are fighting for sound bites to offer her advice. On the record, she has said that she has got herself a job that she wanted. She would need all the help she can get; and above all God’s help. I wish her the health and strength that would enable her to get through the next five years, with advantages to Hong Kong, and satisfaction to herself.