Testimony to an endearing friendship

(THEtree is a mystery to me: read on. Bill)



THEtree for those that had lived in Kulim once upon a time in the late 1950s and 1960s... from Dave, writing with nostalgia and lasting friendships. This is his letter to all that spent their teen years with him. Dave is now at, 319 Lrg.Putih 3, Taman Rakyat Mergong, 05150 ALOR SETAR.


May 2008

Dear Friends,
Hi everyone!! how's life with you these days. I felt like a hundred years have passed by - it seemed such a long time that I didn't write you any letter - which actually I just missed the month of April 2008. The fact is I was in Kuala Lumpur for the whole of that month. As soon as I got back to Alor Star (where my home is, nothing can beat my old hometown - KULIM!!) the first thing that struck my mind was THEtree and all of you my friends; how I have neglected THEtree for over a month!! Hopefully I don't need to go out station anymore and thus could keep in touch with all of you under THEtree on a more regular basis - nurturing the friendships and rekindling the long lost comradeships!
I was back in my old hometown sometimes in March and what a wonderful feeling to have met (and hug) friends that I haven't met for the last 48 years!! I met Boon Lee and Steve (Tan Chor Ing). We chatted for quite a while (real nostalgic indeed.) as I was in a hurry to other destinations on the day we have to "postpone the meeting" but before I left I took a photo of the auspicious and rare occasion (moment like this is hard to find) for memory because memories are made of this! (Photographs I mean).
After I last wrote you (that is in March 2008), I was pleasantly surprised by a letter I retrieved (on 8 March) from my P.O.Box. It came from Kota Kinabalu and it was none other then our good friend Heng Ah Tee who wrote;

Dave,
Never in a million, do I expect a call from you, anyway thanks.
After going through THEtree there's a nice feeling over me. As I was tired after the "holiday" in Kulim, it act as a refreshing drink, it energized me.
I would like to congratulate you, to come up with such a wonderful idea "THEtree" you are one of those who do the extraordinary just to bring old friends connected and informed.
It will be a great pleasure to give any help if any of you folks intend to visit K.K. Just let me know in advance.
From "the land below the wind" - Thanks,
Heng Ah Tee.
Well that is warm and that's what friendships are all about; Heng Ah Tee's letter testifies to that fact.
My search for a long lost friend (Lim Yot Tee) a former colleague at the SPS (Private) back in 1963 ended with one phone call in March of this year. I finally find Lim Yot Tee our old friend and now that we are connected, LYT promised me that he will try to get me yet another colleague (Loh Kee Chang) contact number.
Looks like I have come to the end of yet another nostalgic letter. I am sure I will have more things to share with you about our lives in Kulim once upon a time, meanwhile please don't be shy (or lazy) to write back or respond in what ever manner suitable for you. Your responses and replies are crucial to maintain or rather keep the fire of friendships between us burns ever brighter with the passing of each day.


Your Friend



Dave Li Wanji (Real name: Wan Mokhtar Ramlee)
E-mail: davidleemy@yahoo.com – Mobile: 017-4734384, Hse: 04.7315882
Group’s Web Site: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/tree2008