Monday, April 27, 2009

Yesterday and Today

37 years ago
University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur. It was Maulidur-Rasul, 12 RabiulAwal, but instead of a boy, there I was - filling my lungs with air - the fourth (and last) child to a handsome couple, the third girl. Hence, to commemorate the prophet's day of birth, I bore the name of one of the most prominent female characters in the world, the prophet's first wife. Such big hopes did my parents have of me!

27 years ago
At a tender age, it was the year I learnt a little bit more about life. While my first (step) sister went into matrimony, we later lost our beloved Grandad while we were away performing the umrah. I began collecting the pieces of life jigsaw puzzles left in my possession.

17 years ago
Imagine about a dozen or less lassies sitting and laughing away under the shades of a huge tree in Princes Street Garden, Edinburgh. I had called it the Celebration of Spring, with a birthday coincidentally thrown in as an excuse for a cake. But it didn't need an excuse. Hiding behind shades of all shapes and colours, we'd be feasting on Crawford donuts, cake, crisps and some fizzies.

7 years ago
Carrying my fourth child, my birthday was celebrated in moderation. With my dearest by my side to cheer me up when I was in gloom, hear my laments when I was in a knot, and put a smile on my face when I was all drenched out with the troublesome three, I counted my blessings.

Today
Really catching me off-guard, my Fantastic Four surprised me with chocolates and cheesecake in the morning! HOW and WHEN did they manage to sneak under my noses to get them? Blessed as always, my mobile and home phone almost never stopped beeping with texts and ringing with calls from family and friends near and far.

Whether I'd be able to pause and reflect after another decade remains unknown but I do pray that I'll be a better person altogether: servant, mom, daughter, friend, teacher, etc.

26 comments:

Kak Teh said...

Happy birthday, to you, happy birthday ....to youuuuu!! (gasping for air, in the manner of MM)
Lots of love from me - and take care!

rd said...

Happy Birthday D!!

May the blessings of Allah be upon you..
Your kids are great!! Hebat planning diaorg sampai you pun tak sedar!!
Well done kids!!

:)

Naz in Norway said...

D,
I'm leaving my wishes here too...
Happy Birthday to you, Gratulerer med dagen,Selamat Hari Lahir..
ke berapa D? 16??? :D

Kak Elle said...

Happy birthday dear D semoga di berkathi allah selalu.

rad said...

D, happy belated besday. Semoga dilanjutkan usia dgn penuh keberkatan serta limpah rahmatNya, amin.

Makcik Runner said...

dear D;

a most warming Happy Birthday wishes from moi....*muahhh!*

still young and vogue lagi tuh...ahaks!

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday D!!!!!

A.Z. Haida said...

kak D,

otanjoubi omedetou.
semoga terus dirahmati Allah dalam meniti kehidupan dan menyambung perjuangan...

Anonymous said...

Salam

Happy birthday D...may ALLAH SWT be with you always.

-kak min-

Ajzie said...

Happy Birthday D

Mulan said...

Happy Birthday Sis..

May your days be filled with great health, success, happiness & Rahmat Allah forever..!!

Rizza said...

Happy Birthday Kak D...

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday sis...

You don't how I wish I could wrap and post myself to Coventry! Hahaha

luv.

HH said...

You forgot one more - the best cheerleader one can ever ask for.

Suzana Abd Manan said...

Happy Birthday D, Doa akak, semoga dikurniakan kekuatan utk mengharungi masa depan..amin

Ryehanna said...

Happy Birthday Kak D!

semoga panjang umur, dimurahkan rezeki dan berbahagia selalu..

;)

Roti Kacang Merah said...

dijjigosh dearest...sowee lambat wish... happy belated birthday, dijji!!!

your anak-anak are so so sweet lah! pics of the cake and choc mana?

and bestnya sambut birthday in springtime...!

prayers for happiness and bliss for you and the brood, yah!

Asmida Ismail said...

hepi besday kak D!!
may happiness be yours, forever!!!

F Manchester said...

Happy Birthday D!!!

fifi said...

What a beautiful entry D..
Praying that Allah will grant you lots of iman, peace, love, happiness.. I am so glad our paths crossed.

ubisetela said...

Happy Belated Birthday D!!

silversarina said...

Happy Birthday !!

Dengan anak2 yang comel tu InsyaAllah kehidupan D akan dilimpahi rahmat dariNYA.

Nia said...

Kak Dij! Happy Birthday! hmm... Crawfords.. yum..yum... I loved their strawberry tarts...

D'Rimba said...

Salam hari lahir. Madam Zabrina Abu Bakar tu seorang pensyarah yang hebat satu masa dulu. Saya ada iklankan bukunya di blog saya sudilah jenguknya. Terima kasih...

n.i. said...

happy birthday sis!!! may Allah bless you & ur beloved family always :-)

Anonymous said...

Happy Belated Birthday, Kak D!!!!

May GOD bless you and your family, always, FOREVER.. Amin!