When Living is Not The Only Purpose in Life...

Life is indeed precious.

Within the past weeks, I have had the opportunity to know so many great life changing things happening to the people around me. Some quite profound, and a definite eye opener, while some, though may not be eye opening, it still quite a reminder to me how life can change, just the way it did. All as planned, happening, not a second later or sooner.

One example I will write about here.

A person I have known for more than 10 years, has decided to make a great leap of faith. Take this literally. This special person has decided to leave the faith she is borned and raised with, and take the ultimate life changing decision to be with Islam. Praise Allah AlMighty for giving this person the hidayah that only He can. No one had known this was coming, at least to those who thought they were close enough. All of us were pleasantly surprised, and together we know we'll take care of our new "family member".

This has made me to realize, living is done with a purpose. We wake up every morning, to play a certain role in our life and the lives of others. So, the question is, how do we choose to fill in the time given to us? The answer, choose to live life in such a way that not only helps you fulfill what you can do for yourself, but also for those who are within your circle of communication. Help them become better people by making yourself better day by day.

As the servants of Allah, our ultimate prize is Jannah, never forget this, my dearest. So, live your life to the fullest. Choose your path well, and make living worth every second...to achieve eternal happiness.

Wo Ai Ni,

Mama

Nothing Much...

One per month? That's the rate this blog is being updated currently. Well, in between, office work and house work, that is considered good enough. I guess?

The Rabbit will be hopping in along in less than 2 days. Its going to be a looooooooonggg weekend. Yeay! The family has nothing planned, but I am hoping we can do something different for the weekend. Thinking of having a barbecue...

Tengoklah nanti, kalau mama rajin..teeheehee...

Funny Streak

I feel funny today. Not like funny in my tummy, but more like feeling like I have to crack jokes with everyone I meet.

I like making people laugh. Sometimes I even crack jokes about myself to make others laugh. Occasionally, I tell stories about you to make them laugh. The truth is, laughing makes me forget I am living in a stressful world.

A grin or two pushes blood pressure levels a few notches down, eh Khadijah?

The Watkins, Part Deux

Where were we? Ahhhh...yes, Susan and Bruce.

I met Dr Bruce in PPP, UiTM. He came as a Physchology Professor into the MUCIA/AAD Twinning Program. Susan came about a year later into the program, as a Program Advisor (if I recalled correctly).

Two years later, I got news that I was to extend my studies at the University of Michigan (Umich) in Ann Arbor, Michigan. And guess what? That's Dr Bruce's working university, and he was going to go back to the States a few months before I was to arrive.

During the PPP/UiTM graduation ceremony, your grandparents met Dr Bruce, and got to know that he's from Umich, and that he's heading home soon. So, what do you think happened? Well, Atuk and Nenek basically "handed" the parental responsibility to Dr Bruce and Susan, with dialogs such as the ones below:

"Please keep an eye on Rosma and make sure she studies well, and not go gallavanting around".

"We give you full rights to drag her back home if she doesn't listen to your advice"

Sigh. Well that was then.

October 15th 1994, my housemates and I landed in Chicago O'Hare. Five days later, in Ann Arbor Michigan.

As instructed, I made a phone call to Susan. (or was it your Aunt Tasneem?). And from there on, we were treated as family. They were never too parental on us, but we always felt assured that they were there to make sure we were okay.

I house-sat (and cat-sat, Bob, their cat,) when the Watkins went away for vacation and Christmas holidays. They actually let me use Dr Bruce's Nissan Sunny station wagon, "10SMAN" during the time I had to house-sit. The fridge was always well-stocked. Overall, made sure the house-sitter was well taken care off.

On my graduation, they came. They gave me a Umich gold ring, with their names engraved at the back. I still wear it with a chain around my neck.

After my return to Malaysia in 1996, Dr Bruce came back to Malaysia on a Fullbright fellowship program. He stayed on for another tow years I think. Susan came too for a short while.

Its been almost 16 years, and I will never forget the kindness, warmth and trust they have shared with me.

To Bruce and Susan... THANK YOU.

The Watkins

[Susan Pollay and Dr Bruce Watkin in Paris]

The Watkins are more than just friends. They are my family while I was studying in Ann Arbor, Michigan. More stories on them soon. Have to move my car from the parking now....

Missing Your Grandmother

Not a day passes by that I don't miss your grandmother, so this post is dedicated to her.

Mak,

I cannot wish that you are still around, because the fact of the matter is, you are with Allah now. I can just say, that I miss you very-very much. I know everyone misses you.

Ayah, still sometimes call out your name without even realizing.

Abang, misses you all the time too. In his own way, he yearns for you. I know.

I miss all the afternoon phone calls you use to make, just to ask me what to cook for dinner that day.

I miss seeing you seated where you normally seat to watch tv.

I miss you calling out to us to tell us you're going upstairs to rest.

I miss seeing you seated in-front of the kitchen sink while you prepare stuff to cook.

I miss seeing you seated at the edge of your bed waiting for Isya' prayer.

Cannot continue with this post...need to clear off my tears.

Letting Go...

Letting go. It's not easy to do.

Letting go of a favourite soft toy.

Letting go of a cassette tape of a favourite rock band (in the era of discs and DVDs)

Letting go of loved ones.

Letting go of grudges.

Even when it comes to...letting go of sad memories...

I have my share of the above. Seems silly though somehow, but humans being humans, we hang on to even silly things. I know one day, I will have to let go of you. I will have to let you make and live by your own choices, and trust that you will make good choices, for that matter. It will be hard, but it will be necessary.

But if there is one thing I have learnt in my life so far, letting go can be good not just for me, but also for the person being let go of, especially. So my love, I will not teach you on how to let go, but you will learn this skill yourself through your own life experiences.