I walk down the memory lane because I know that I'll run into youthere....
Since the last updates life has been good and wonderful in a way. Still hanging on the knot, searching for great opportunity to swing by into another field.
My recent found school reunion has been tremendous. 20 years apart, tales from each of us enough to make anyone counting their blessing one way or another. I found my football captain ~ Zulrisham Kadri. Had a brief chat with him over the phone, followed by message exchanged. He is thrown one corner of the earth, far from busy city life that both of us used to indulge in.
He said there is a long story behind it and above all he believe everything happen for a reason. He is earning a decent living there ; enough for his family and kids. We have to catch up for sure. I need to know what happen to him (more kepoh than ever!!). It was another friend of mine - Ahmad Suhaimi whom found him, shared his recent photos via whatsapp and these boys...God Almighty start to send me picture of Zul..mad house !
Yesteday Hafizd Helmi held wedding ceremony lunch for his brother. Invited these school clan as well. My parent did went over too which was quick updated via Facebook that they saw my parent. Geez...these boys..I don't know to smile or just rolled my eyes !...CNN big time.
Life has stretch us from what we used to be. With the recent UPSR result announcement, I am proud to see that those who had become parent ; their kids is doing very very well. Far from what we were in school. The least it is better than older generation.
As much as I am happy and excited over this reunion thing...I am looking forward to met up with my clan (snob!). The rest will make way in between. There was me, Zulhisham, Khairul Azman, Rajisman Ali and Suhaimi Rashid. These five stick together like a glue through out and they eventually make my house second home. Especially Zul...always seems to be around playing table tennis with my dad.
Another side of story, I uploaded primary school photos. Standard Five - messages and phone number exchanged. We don't change much appearance wise, just aged. 90% of them went to the same secondary school. We just expand our friendship with kids from other school in the district.
There will be a small gathering on the girl group which I m often left behind as busy with the football team. Since I am 'vanish' in the thin air for 20 years...its a pleasure to see these girls whom very likely having average 5 kids each now. Some of their kids already in their 17th years of age. Its like married the very next week after final SPM paper.
(Off the record. My parent often strike fear in me and siblings...if we are not good in our studies, they will married us off and become full time housewife. Then we are stuck forever in the small town without ambition and all. Trust me....it is my biggest fear. With our last drop of blood we strive to get away from this small town..by hook or crook. Then in our 20s my parent again on our back for suitable time to get married. Hell it is not happening like they wished for. They shapped us to be stern and vocal..speak our mind and find our own course. Suitor will not come overnight for sure.)
Looking back over the years, as I stated before we cannot measure one's path based on how they were back then. Of course one must have direction or at least ambitious enough what you want to be when you grow up.
It is good if you have a good course or at least earn a decent living.
I have learned too that few of them pass away due to illness or accident. Some because of drugs. Which is sad. It is like our play ground we see each other almost daily for half a day. Then to learned that they are gone..such a disbelief too.
For now I looked forward to come back home. Need to bring my mom to see doctor and also catch up with my school buddies. Foresee it will be lots of tales and stories. Years in counting may sound short or at time may seems long enough to make you wonder ...what has happen during those times. 20 years this time for me felt so long. 20 long years that has changed us into what we are today.
Above all I can say is...those whom in my chatting/message/phone call now are good people. Nothing has changed much on them in the manner of humbleness. Those whom not in the list...to speak their attitude has not changed either. As snob as I am...there is a difference between me the lovable snob and those whom always find a way to be outstanding with no reason. That group of people is not welcome at all. My clan still speak the same wave length...
Last week my aunt and uncle came down to my late cousin residence in Puchong. Did some prayers for her. It has been two months since. Thankfully my aunt and uncle acceptance is much better. When tragedy strike..it is amzing how people can really change. Especially their connection to the creator. Believe me when I say... just pray in good time or bad time. The spiritual and soul connection in the name of prayers...amazing. Just amazing.
Both of my sister went, me on the other hand at work. My aunt shared that she believe her daughter new on her condition in some way. While clearing the house, they found mane religious book and some that says...power of acceptance.
I can't seems to find the correct words or sentence to describe how do I really feel about her death. Accepted ? Yes I am but I can still feel her presence around...so does everyone I think in my family.
Life has to go on. As time pass my inner feeling is calling me home badly. I had my fun years here. Was talking to Joanna last week....she too felt the urge of doing something meaningful for herself. It might not be as much as our earning now but it is meaningful.
I am so thinking about coming home to my parent soon.
While on FB the other day I came across a post. It is said that, don't look too much into the joyous time in the past. Our become so and so backward that we want to be in that time so we do not have to face what the future holds.
Not facing what the future holds? I don't think so. It is nice and wonderful to talk about good old days. But reality check will come knocking before you know it. It is merely a rememberance for all those sweat, tears, blood..laughter and sweet memories. Nothing more.
There shall be many how I wish...but as I said reality check. You must stand on the reality ground...the future is bright ahead. How you see it ..it is up to you...no pain no gain..
We love life, not because we are used to living but because we are used to loving ~ Friedrich Nietzsche
“I guess by now I should know enough about loss to realize that you never really stop missing someone-you just learn to live around the huge gaping hole of their absence.” ― Alyson Noel, Evermore
Peaceful Sunday morning. Woke up early for prayers and dooze of again for a while. Can't sleep much though. Since my mind is so acting drafting what I want to write in my blog later...might as well do it now.
Sun has raised, peeping through the trees surround my parents house. It is the 3rd day my dear cousin Razaini Binti Siti Ani has left us. Still shocked over her death and I am still digesting the aftermath.
We all knew what will be the ending upon the news she is diagnose with colon cancer about 3 months ago. Sadly that news only came to our knowledge mid of Ramadhan. As I updated before, her parent rather is stage of denial. Cannot accept that their child has been diagnose with such terminal illness.
We all rushed back home to visit her by then. My last chat with her was the eve of Eid. Went with Shan just to say hi and check on her condition. Chatty and witty as normal, though her health has decline rapidly. Then after Eid I was back in KL and did not check that regular. My 2nd sister did called up to my uncle and check on her condition, I knew about her then bit by bit.
Late Thursday night of 5th September about 2200hrs, my sister called in with news that she is in comatose stage now. My parent already there at the hospital with rest of family members. Thereafter, my sleep mode already deactivated. Cannot sleep at all. I can't remember what time that I finally knock out.
Then Friday morning about 0710am while I am on my to work, my 3rd sister called in. My dear cousin has passed away at 0615am. Friday, 6th September @ 30th Syawal. Drop by at the office, took a few stuff and rush back home. We want to leave soonest possible before the funeral take place. Last respect at least. Called up to my mom...she also fighting back tears...they all came back home about 0500am that morning. Will be leaving again shortly she said.
We assemble at my 3rd sister's place, took our belonging at drive through all the way back to Kuantan. In between call up to my dad to find out on the progress. We will do out best to arrived but traffic was not that much on our side anyway. With God's will, we will arrive on time..if not...we had seen her too during her healthy stage. Not much to regret then...
Quick stop at Maran R&R and we safely arrived in Kuantan about 1200noon. Fought our way to heavy traffic as all Muslim men prepare to go for Friday prayers. My parent had to leave home by then as my nephew already throwing tantrums. My dad told us to make way straight to the graveyard at Taman Setali, Kuantan. We arrived there about 1230noon just in time. Her fragile body has been laid in. Went to met her mom ; my aunt. She was so un-consolable. My cousin known to us as Akak...my aunt keep repeating to us...Akak dah tiada. Three of us sisters stood there numb. All my other aunt and uncle presence as well. So many people there I did not have a chance to see all.
The funeral was in a rush too as people need to go for Friday prayers. The Talkin was not smooth as well. As it the reader was doing it the first time. Somehow my cousin's name was not properly mentioned and that old Talkin reader was studder. We all just kept it to our self and pray for her soul to rest in peace and grant Janatul Firdausi.
Everything went well and ended by first Azan cast of that Friday afternoon. My uncle went around to say thank you while my aunt drop herself and sat down beside the grave. My 2nd sister went to stand there too. As she stood there recite doa, I was with my other cousins and aunt consoling ourselves.
Then my 2nd sister came by and whisper to me, go and stand where I stood. Asked for forgiveness and give forgiveness. She can still hear us before everyone leave finally. I did that. Upon we said goodbye to her mom, she hold our hands and asked us to go to her house now.
Upon arrival at my cousin's house, other family members is there too. Many from my cousin brother wife 's side. We sat down for a while then everyone came back.
My aunt was so lost, denial and tried her level back to act as normal. Well she shouldn't do that in the first place....it is not easy dealing with oldies. They are not us...these oldies they are beyond reason at times. We just leave things the way they are. Upon arrival my aunt quick to clear the house and went to rinse cloth that was used during the bathe earlier. Informing us bit by bit what has transpired for the past 3 months.
My cousin came back home for about four days earlier. She was so happy beyond words. Took the longest shower ever my aunt said....
My and my sister stood there and fighting back tears as my aunt said, my cousin's lung had burst. Her internal organ failed miserably already. It was when she wanted to take a bath that Thursday evening. A wave of shock struck her and the nostril tube was fill with blood. Doctor came and check....her lung has just burst. Her last word to her parent was "wait for a moment".
Many visitor came by then including the residence Imam. He told both my aunt and uncle....it is time...redha on her departure now. That is when my aunt said to her
"Akak, mak dengan abah redha jika akak nak pergi. Mak dengan abah ampun segala dosa2 akak...mak dengan abah halal segala makan minum"
That time my aunt said can see her tears rolling. It is the first time since her diagnosis that she cast a tears. Thereafter her stage already in coma.
We hang around the house for a while. My aunt was busy with do not know what. Asked all the biscuits and cookies to be taken out to all guest. Some of the oldies there hold her back and said.....its a funeral not a celebration. Just calm down and take it easy.
She insist on us to go and have some food. Owh my...not us for sure. We just could not swallow anything. Visitor start to increase and it became a bit crowded. We then politely say to her we want to take leave now.
She hugs all of us and said do not forget her.....she has no daughter now. Don't just leave her alone. To me was rather lenghty. Make sure I take care of my health and do a regular check. Her daughter was in the same condition as I am. Fybroid and cysts.
Said goodbye to my uncle and we left. Stopped by at Old Town White coffee for a quick bite. Super hungry. We assess the situation back at my aunt house..who and whom plus what and when. In between we just sit in silence...trying to accept what has happen.
We arrived home close to 1600hrs. My parent just finish their so call lunch. Took shower and sat down with them. Exchange news and opinion. The crowd was greater at the mosque, my mom said. Dad was a bit upset as he could not be at the grave. My super hyper nephew start his tantrums....
That night was the tahlil...great crowd as well.
We will bid our goodbye today. It will take a long time for us to accept her departure for sure. This is the first young death in our family. I mean from my maternal side....this is the first ever...
After the funeral, at my aunt house I came across my cousin's best friend ; Barathi. She immediately sat in front of me and cried. Just last Sunday she brought her parent wall the way from KL to see my cousin. These two can be seen all over the place in KL. From Lake Garden to Carcosa Seri Negara..name it...adventurous and explorer. I knew Barathi from my cousin too.
Before we depart from the grave I bump into another school friend of hers...Elyna. Short Hi and I have to leave already. We continue to exchange news via her FB page later on that evening.
Yesterday afternoon my mom did call my aunt. Her relatives from Singapore just arrives. My aunt send the same reminder again....don't just leave her alone. My mom said, we won't from those days we are just as we are now. Nothing will change.
Today on the way back to KL...my mind just travel back to all those moments. Facing the departure of love ones is hard.....I guess the hardest part is the aftermath. How do we stand and move on....not many will find an immediate courage to move on...worst still to let go.This cousin of mine is a pillar. She is the strength of her parent. Between she and her mom is the love hate relationship as they both look a like.
3 months duration to take care of a patient is enduring. No child can guarantee to stay that long for a parent, but that was the duration that both my aunt & uncle stayed with their child. Parent often will...the rule of life is..no parent should bury their child. It is a turning point for them...devastated..eating them inside out for years to come.
I am speaking from the point that I have witnessed of the many....good family..good child and good parent. The other side of coins..well I have witness that too. More of Karma. When death came upon, it is a moment of one thousand one million repent. Thankfully I has taken me closer to my creator....found so many answers too.
Before I depart home, my dad call me to him and interrogate about my health. Alhamdulillah so far so good. He gave me few doa to recite after Fardhu prayers. Simple yet meaningful.
I m back to home sweet home....felt a bit better today. Yesterday was a terrible day for me. Body ache like crazy ! I can't even walk properly. To sit or to get up is a nightmare...every angel lock. Took Panadol twice and even hot shower..nothing works.
Mom said, we are in this descendant cannot simply step to the graveyard...if not headache, it will be body ache. Hurmm....we are suffer from that headache since Thursday night. Thankfully it went off soon after.
My back and legs still hurt much...just holding in patiently.
I believe in Karma, and if you put a positive vibes to everybody, that's all you're going to get back ~ Kesha
Ramadhan came and go. We are still in Syawal...Now is the season of Open House. Malaysian are so so good at celebrating food. It is all year around kind of event. After this will be Diwali then Christmas....offices will held celebration for each of festival. Our Eid was joyous! Tiring..super tired. I think years to come we will just cater food. No more self cooking; well probably one or two dishes.
Mostly nowadays, people use disposal paper plate and cups. I think my dad will shoot me that black look if I come out with this suggestion. He is not the one whom washing and cleaning up.
Due to age and health, my dad did not make Lemang anymore. I miss the good old days. 30 to 40 pieces of lemang is just easy peasy those days. The best part is...first day itself finished. 2nd day of Eid mom did Laksa and 3rd Day Nasi Minyak. Me..what did I do..well apart from washing dishes and cleaning up...wait..that is all that I can remember the most. Owh my...
1st day of Hari Raya was busy with visitors. Once a year kind of relatives. We often see them at this time of the year only. Any other than this, it will be a major event like wedding or funeral.
A day before Hari Raya, I went to the hospital. My cousin has lost 21kg of her weight. She seems excited for Hari Raya. Even my aunt has lost some kilos. They took turned to stay with my cousin at the hospitals. Day time my uncle and night time my aunt.
There are some insurance issue to be settle too. Her company paid compasation in full already. Just wait for the insurance to clear up. One thing for sure, the process is not as easy as upon signing up. Why it happen such a way, because of too many fraud cases. Due to criminal’s matter, genuine people whom in the need money for treatment suffers the most.
This year Hari Raya was a sweet ones among all, my dear Nenek Zizah came with one of her daughter whom I have not met for 20 years. She is staying in Johor. The last I saw her was when her daughter was 3 years old..now that girl is 23 years old. She scream upon seeing me and we jump like school kids...everyone roar with laughter.
Chat up heartily and make up with most of good old days stories. The old Nenek Zizah classy as ever...hugging and sentimental emotions. Her last daughter now in Shah Alam. Finished her course and working with DRB HiCom. The old lady stays on her own now. Her other son is staying close by. Good to know that someone is there to keep an eye on her.
I remember much of my childhood by then. Running in their yards through the mud and puddles.
Peep into the deep weld. Scared over the sound of Padi machine processor...run and hide behind her.
Nenek Zizah daughter said, her mother dressed up since about 1600hrs. Then heavy rain pour, the trip to my house cancelled. So after marghrib she propose again to come to my house. They all agree but there is a stop over to a relative’s house. By then it is almost 2200hrs. So they decided to go back since it is a bit late to visit now. To much of their dismay...Nenek Zizah was rather adamant. She said it is not that late..let’s go...awww....so sweet of her. All her knee pain seems gone when it come to a trip to my house.
That night they left with a great memory fond into me. I told them, if everything is OK, 3rd day of Hari Raya we will go and visit.
On the 2nd day of Hari Raya, late evening I was having a chat with my dad in the yard...a visitor came...family friends. The Ikan bakar owner...nice family.
3rd day of Hari Raya as promised we make a trip to Nenek Zizah’s house. Nothing much has changed about this old lady. She was so so excited to see us. Her last son is also there with the family. First time is 20 years I am seeing Meriam Buluh again...that was like so old skool man! Where on earth can you see this thing again. Really typical Kampung yes.I felt like a kid watching how they blast it...my nephew of course above all is the most excited ones.
From that house we went all the way to Kuala Pahang – fisherman’s village. We took the inner route. Again...that route I have not pass for more than 20 years. The story behind that route...my school boyfriend house was along the way towards the fisherman’s village.
So so may changes. The village does not exist anymore, make ways for highways. I wonder then where is that school lovers of mine now. My sister was teasing....your ex MIL Kampung ..just shut up I said.
Arrived into Kuala Pahang..The Ikan Bakar family. Warm welcome. Upon stepping into their house, there was life size tiger toy. My nephew and niece went over the hills. Excited!...the house owner said, he bought it to scare away monkeys. Which he said work very well.
There is jungle nearby, these pheasants monkeys came into the house and starts to become nuisance. Upon seeing that large tiger soft toys...it seems those monkeys scatters and run like mad.
At that point I am feeling rather...I am so back home town. This is the life..
Me and Shan came back on Monday 12th August 2013. I reschedule my check up for 17thAugust.
I was hospitalize again end July. Three days for a minor surgery. It has been almost a month and I think my health issue is still the same. My next check up is due on 3rd September. Hope all are ok.
A week after I came back to KL, life goes on as normal. Then while browsing through a friend’s FB page...I saw a familiar name. A quick message to this friend of mine..then it happen. I got a trace of my school lovers. Old flame! Text message exchanged and voila ! It’s him !
My my...19 years passed. Well I did meet him in 2002 I think in KL. Some story sharing and lots of information updates. Found few more of my school friends too. But the one that I am looking for, still lost. He was the captain of our football team back in school. God knows where he is now. Maybe someday I will find him again.
This ex lover of mine, the football captain and few more are in one group. We are together everywhere. Cut schools..cut classes..name it. But that time our social problem was not into drugs or free sex. It is merely being mischief. Going against the rule...the most bizarre and bad thing we did was smoking...that was it! There is a drug issue of course but not very minor. There are no synthetic drugs too during my time. Weed, cocaine, heroine...no ice no ecstasy and all.
Gang fight was among boys rather than girls. Nowadays girl involve in gang fight more than boys does. My last sister should earn a credit for this...she is dam good at it though. All that stories came after school of course.
It is good to be able to catch up with him again. He is in his 2nd marriage now. The first did not worked out. His parent still around...stayed at different location since their village demolished for new highway project. All his sister’s is married too. I remember both girls well. Sweet and mischief in their own way. His mom kinda disappointed that it did not work out well for us.
Hmm...I was off to varsity by then aunty. Ain’t gonna wait for your son whom do not want to pursuit anything educationally right... J J. Plus...we are like what 17 years old. So not gonna happen man!
I left him...yup. I did left him and went away...
He said, every year without fail, he will pass by my house at least once. I grin to myself..all these years...
Its 4am on 28th August 2013. I am on night shift. Yesterday evening I had a wish of Hari Raya came from my cousin. Our ties remain below the radar for a while now.
I shared with her about what has happen all these years while we are not in talking terms. After my fourth uncle’s death..the mole came to light. We patch the puzzle and the jigsaw kind of completed now. Come to think about it, if both of my family and her family was such a bad people....I wonder why the one that fallen apart is the story teller’s family now.
God Almighty! You will get back what you give..karma will slap you back.
Butterfly Kisses for Daddy ...happy birthday...
As I drop to my knees by her bed at night
She talks to Jesus and I close my eyes
and I thank god for all of the joy in my life
Oh, but most of all
For butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer;
sticking little white flowers all up in her hair;
"Walk beside the pony, Daddy, it's my first ride."
"I know the cake looks funny, Daddy, but I sure tried."
Oh, with all that I've done wrong, I must have done something right
To deserve a hug every morning And butterfly kisses at night.
Sweet 16 today
She's looking like her mama a little more everyday
One part woman, the other part girl.
To perfume and make-up from ribbons and curls
Trying her wings out in a great big world.
But I remember...
Butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer;
sticking little white flowers all up in her hair.
"You know how much I love you, Daddy,
But if you don't mind I'm only gonna kiss you on the cheek this time."
Oh with all that I've done wrong I must have done something right
to deserve her love every morning and butterfly kisses at night.
All the precious time
Like the wind, the years go by.
Precious butterfly.
Spread your wings and fly.
She'll change her name today.
She'll make a promise and I'll give her away.
Standing in the bride-room just staring at her.
She asked me what I'm thinking and I said
"I'm not sure-I just feel like I'm losing my baby girl."
She leaned over
Gave me butterfly kisses with her mama there,
Sticking little white flowers all up in her hair
"Walk me down the aisle, Daddy-it's just about time."
"Does my wedding gown look pretty, Daddy? Daddy, don't cry"
Oh, with all that I've done wrong I must have done something right.
To deserve her love every morning and butterfly kisses
I couldn't ask God for more, man this is what love is.
I know I gotta let her go, but I'll always remember
Every hug in the morning and butterfly kisses...
Songwriter(s):Randy Keith Thomas, Robert Mason Carlisle





