Ailing Pacific Leaders...

The passing of Maori Queen Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu, King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV of Tonga critically ill in New Zealand's Mercy Hospital as well as concerns over the health of Tomasi Kulimoetoke, the 87 year old King of Wallis has gotten me thinkin' about the issue of man's mortality again.
Death comes to us all, no matter our stations in life King or Pauper we all share the same fate. There is no fountain of youth, no cure for death and no turning back the clock. We can only hope that we leave this world having done what we have set out to do. We can't all be famous, having created something like the cell phone,new computer software, found a cure for a terminal disease or discovered a new atom/specie etc.
But we can live meaningful lives just depends on ur own definition of meaningful. There is a place/time for all of us to display our individual talents and abilities. Our respective contributions to our societies/families/countries despite of how they may be perceived by others.... matters.

I strongly believe if our being around has made this world a bit better ie: a much friendlier and less lonelier place for at least one other person then we have made an impact. If we are able to give love as well as being on the receiving end then we are not doing too bad.

If during our lifetime we have Hugged a baby, kissed an elderly person, comforted a friend, laughed with a parent/s, lent a hand to a stranger and wiped the tears of a sibling, taught someone to drive, shared a drink with a co worker etc etc...then we have sampled the rewards of some of the simplest but most meaningful moments in life.
There is a lot we can do in life that needs neither money nor status to achieve. In our own families and circles we are all royalty, kings and queens, ruler of hearts and minds.
Getting back to our ailing leaders our own Head of State is getting on also in his old age and should the sun set on the life of Malietoa Tanumafili II, I know that our country will miss this Father Figure. For most of us who were born way after the nation's Independence he is perhaps the only leader of old we are familiar with. It will take some getting used to, should somebody else step into his shoes. A different face on our coins and tala notes, a new name to the title and a new smile greeting marchers during the Independence Parade.

Our situation may be quite different to that of Tonga. The reigning monach has been the absolute ruler of the chain of more than 170 islets since 1965, a 41-year reign that puts him fourth on the list of longest-serving sovereigns, after Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and our very own Malietoa Tanumafili II.
Life could very well be quite different after the reign of the King should his condition take a turn for the worse. The passing of King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV may signal a new change in the political life of the country or again may make the Royal family even more endearing to the nation, but until then I join my prayers with that of many Tongans around the world beseeching the Lord for his help and care for the ailing monarch.

May God Bless all of us and Long life, peace and happiness to all.