2008 Raya & Ramadhan: Part 1

This is a long overdued entry. Thanks Kak Eida, for reminding me to update this blog, really occupied with work lately.

We went back to Msia for 6 days to celebrate Aidilfitri. We had such a great time. I had such a great learning too (more on this later). We spent 3 days at each side (mine & in-laws). On my side, we went to Kampung Ulu Dong, to visit my paternal grandparents. They are both over 80 years old. I have a sweet spot for Ulu Dong, since I grew up there. It's a pity I can only go back once a year and for a short while. How I wish I could spend a lot more time and do all the fun things back then like climbing up trees and jump into the river below, playing konda-kondi or riding honda cup bike around the village. ahhh...the good old days where we didn't need a PSP to feel the time flies by.. (Shot of Alyssa and her cousins Ika & Ayuni in front of ATuk & Wan's house in Ulu Dong)

From the left

(Last Row: Safiruz (younger bro), Azmir (hubby), Daniel (youngest bro), Anaz (younger bro), Along Rudin (Eldest bro).)

(Sitting: Ogy (Safiruz's wife) with Sofi on her lap, me, Abah, Mak, Gee (Along's wife) with Iman on her lap.

(Sitting infront: Amirul, Alyssa, Ayuni (Along's eldest) & Ika (Safiruz's eldest).

On the way to Ulu Dong, we stopped by a small town Raub. It's very much still the same since I last see it. Abah wishes to have our entire family portrait considering the last we had was when he had only Amirul as grandchild. Now he has 6 grandchildren! Anybody knows my Abah wouldn't be surprised since photography is his thing. Our home at Karak looks more like a museum with none of the walls is free of photos of us.

If any lessons are to be learned from, during this aidilfitri, then I would have to cite the visit to Ulu Dong tops my list. Wan (my paternal grandmother) is 81 years old. She is suffering from alzheimer, hence have only minimal percent of her CPU memory can be used. She can't even remember her children's names. Nonetheless she was extremely happy having many people around. She decided to follow us home, and packed her clothings, 2 big tumblers, a pair of sunglasses, in a wrapped up batik sarongs. We just let her do as she wishes since she is not herself anymore. Whatever makes her happy.

We brought Wan home for that 1 hour journey from Ulu Dong to Karak. After dinner, we all prop out our sleeping gears in the living room, with my dad taking a spot right next to her. After dinner, Abah entertained his mom reminiscing old time. I almost cry hearing their hardship during Abah's childhood days. At the end of every month, they had to walk to the nearest small town of Dong, which is at least 15 miles of walk, to get Atuk's monthly salary (he was a teacher) and to buy groceries. Atuk (my grand dad) had to carry 2 boys aged 8 & 6 (my dad and his younger bro) who sits in sarongs attached to ends of bamboo which he single handedly carried to Dong. Wan had to carry 3 year old De (my uncle). There were no tarred road, only small pathway along the river. They were constantly on the alert since the entire family's was at risk - there was no way they could survive any attact from elephants, tiger or even a snake. Abah told this story back to his mom, with a small hope it might help jogs back her old memory. To my surprise, Wan remembers the day quite vividly. I sensed a sad tone when Abah replied to all my ridiculous questions like "goodness! you guys actually WALKED that far? WHY?" or "Weren't you afraid?" or "man! I cannot imagine doing that!".

Abah felt asleep next to his mom, caressing her wrinkled, worn out hands. Hands which survived hardship raising 8 children. The same hands now caressing him with the same gentleness, only difference is she doesn't know they are my dad's. I could see it in her eyes, how confuse Wan is. To Wan, Abah is just a stranger, who some how share the same good old memory with her. A stranger who is so kind to take her into his shelter and make jokes to lighten her heart. A stranger who is so familiar yet she can't make out his name quite yet.

Looking at how Abah entertains her mom that nite, makes her laugh and show her love & warmth..I was overwhlemed with both pride & sadness. I pray silently for the same strength to do the same when it's my time to take care of him when he needs my cheering up the most. InsyaAllah.