Next weekend, Mrs Carol Lai will be celebrating two milestones with her family - her son turns 18 on Saturday and the nation turns 50 the next day. To mark the special occasions, the 44-year-old sales manager, her husband, a 53-year-old property agent, and their two sons, 13 and 17, will have a picnic at Marina Barrage on Friday. Then on National Day, they are likely to hunt for a good spot to watch fireworks.
Said Mrs Lai: "I enjoy the fireworks. They are the grand finale - like blowing the candles on a birthday cake. I enjoy being a part of National Day. It is when we can be proud to be Singaporean - like a family member's birthday and we are part of it."
The picnic at the Marina Barrage is part of an event organised by Families for Life and will raise funds for The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund.
At the Marina Barrage, Mrs Lai and her family are looking forward to watching aerial display performances by the Republic of Singapore Air Force Black Knights Team on Friday. While this year's jubilee celebrations are bigger compared with previous years, Mrs Lai still remembers scenes from last year's parade.
"The most memorable moment was when Mr Lee Kuan Yew appeared at last year's event. People had been speculating if he would show up so it was very touching when he did. We all cheered from home.
"I think it is very important for my sons to appreciate Singapore and feel that they belong."
Cheryl Faith Wee
