Wednesday, November 19, 2008

My profile picture (and other anecdotes about my wonderful children)

I realise that I have never actually related the story behind the profile picture I now have (yes, taken me almost 2 years to get that!).


If you click on the photo, you might be able to see that there's a goldfish swimming in the vase. Yup, that was a surprise I got from my Fantastic Four one day during our trip back home last summer. I had returned home from the hospital a little knackered, and the kids couldn't wait to lead me in. Tarra - lo and behold, Abang H showed me their masterpiece: Bougainvilleas and Bird of Paradise (picked from Tok Bah's garden - hehe) arranged in my vase with a wriggling gold piece in it. It certainly made my heart melt!


Although they all claimed to have done it together, I know who must have initiated it. Abang H. He's the one who's slightly more creative and innovative when it comes to presentations, and always finding means to please his mommy, perhaps to make up for his oft-clumsy demeanor(it's a dyslexic thingy, so my research says).


From time to time, I am reminded of Allah's magnificent blessing to me: my children. They are my everything - my sunshine, my rain, my heartbeat, my soul, my joy and my sorrow. I know I could be in danger of falling into the same trap I was before by making them my everything, but this time around, it's slightly different because they are my amanah, and I am after all, their soul proprietor in this foreign land. It goes without saying that I have no doubt that they are actually in good hands of the Almighty, wherever they might be, yet I cannot take things lightly.


Of course they are kids who never understand the concept of tidiness and minimality, or even adhere to the constant nags of this often-hysterical-mommy manning an almost dilapidated house, but they often express their sincerest loves in the most touching manner. Let's take a lazy Sunday morning two weeks ago, when I tried my luck by whispering to the twins, "Abang, can you prepare me breakfast today? Mommy wants to be served instead of serving."


They shot out from under the duvets, and fixed me bread and honey on toasts with a mug of hot coffee (the waitress came to take my order with pen and paper), while they enjoyed their special scrambled eggs on toasts (I opted out of that as I wanted something light). Usually on weekends I'd prepare a hearty breakfast for all with a touch of extra surprise wrapped up in an envelope of love - which could be in the form of some amusing presentation, or crafty home-made cards with riddles or instructions to hidden treasure! Just an attempt to start the day more promisingly and positively. Well, having breakfast served to you once in a blue moon was certainly a good start for the day!


Here's another story that depicts the thoughtfulness of my precious gems. During school break a few weeks ago, I counted my pennies and brought the children out for a trip to the castle. When their daddy was around, we had put that on the list of places to go to but little did we know that we'd be going there without him. The children were excited when I told them about the trip (Abang Z had actually made a request earlier on to do something different during the term break), and kept asking how much the tickets costed. They are aware of how strict mommy is with the budget hence were wondering how much was 'affordable'. You know how it is with mothers (or is it just me?); it's always a No here, No there, and No every where!


As usual, at the castle gift shop they were tempted to buy ridiculously priced souvenirs and nicknacks which mommy had to cold-heartedly say NO to. Er, she didn't even allow them to use their own pocket money as most of the things were actually... junk! Of course, the most heart-broken one was Little D who had wanted to get a set of sword and shield (like he has not had any of those!!).


Anyway, it wasn't until the following day that I was surprised by them little ones. It wasn't my birthday, neither was it Mother's Day. But out of nowhere, they handed me a present nicely wrapped in home-made wrapping paper! Of course, that made mommy all teary; to find that in the box was a pen with her initials on it, and the pen was bought at the gift shop using their pocket money. I could have shot myself with an arrow at that very moment, to think how sternly impossible I had been the day before. *sigh* On the card was written, Thank you for bringing us to the castle. We love you Mama.


To sum, this is the rahmah He has presented me with. We may not have much, but we have each other and thoughts of all those we love. I will always keep the memories of those dear to me close to my heart and in my prayers. God permitting, nothing else can beat the love from four pure hearts which will keep my heart pumping on and on...

16 comments:

Kak Teh said...

Reading this leaves me quite breathless! They are certainly a blessing, penawar hidup.
They are certainly worth waking up for, even though it is not for the breakfast served in bed.

I always wait for "I sayang you mama," and I will be smiling the whole day.

lupekanje said...

Salam D,
they gonna grow up and will take a good care on u, like u did to them.. u r so lucky to have them, and they r also very lucky to hv a very strong soul mother like u...

MHB said...

wonderful, wonderful children you have there!!! my hugs and kisses to them!!

p/s: I am also one of those no here, no there, no everywhere moms!! :-(

Ms B said...

Babe,

Right, I am trying to pic u shooting urself with that arrow. where on earth can u possibly point? Gladly lend my hand here. *lol*

ah, the joy of hearing "no". arent we all? It is more difficult for people like us as there is no other person to balance the act (I am not constraining to other half. Can be parents/siblings/friends).

Their act of love and kindness sometimes amazes us. It is also the reason why we should keep on smiling.

Anonymous said...

Oh....*speechlessrad*

en_me said...

hi makcik ittewww.. salammmz

HH said...

Happy birthday, PTR by the way.

Naz in Norway said...

Kids are wonderful beings...and You, my dear, are lucky to have 4 of them!
Take care ... and my hugs to your lovely kids.

Anonymous said...

kak d,

mashaallah!! you ARE blessed...i love your kids too..

hugs
nadia

Mulan said...

they are so sweet... u r blessed with responsible & thoughtful kids.. alhamdulillah..

rara_avis said...

what a lovely entry

Anonymous said...

D,

Entries like these make me slightly teary eyed as I wish I had more kids.

You're sooo sooo sooo lucky. Alhamdullilah....

IBU said...

Breathtaking indeed :)

silversarina said...

Sebak akak, kanak-kanak kecil pun dah tau menghargai jasa ibu mereka, InsyaAllah mereka semua akan menjadi anak-anak yang baik.

Roti Kacang Merah said...

*sniff*

ala, entry you ni best banget, i terus nanges, taw...

dijji, i envy you for being being bestowed the most thoughful, precious kids ever... such inspirational story, lah. especially the one how you'll try make their sunday breakfast come in special 'wrappings'.

love it love it love it. LOVE this entry. Sooooo Hallmark kinda good-feeling... so inspiring.

Nin said...

I have tears in my eyes! What lovely children you have. I believe children are a reflection of their caretakers... how you are to them is how they are to you.

I so want to ibu mithali but I so am not! Sigh!