Happy Birthday, Mak

Today, my mother reached a new milestone in her life.  She turns 70.  And like my sister puts it, "She looks damned good for her age." Alhamdulillah.

I think mak is enjoying herself at the moment. I am grateful for that, and she is certainly blessed.
Her growing years were difficult, because she was raised in a family of 10, with her as the youngest girl at no 7. (there would have been about 14 altogether, though 4 died at birth or childhood).  Her father, my grandfather whom I never got to meet, drove a 'casket' bus: - something convenient looking at the number of his brood.  My late grandma was a smart but tight-fisted woman who raised her brood somehow when she became a widow shortly after the birth of her youngest son.

Mak came under the care of Tok Hamid, (her mother's brother) who was one of the rare Malays who managed to get some education, and was a clerk at a government office. His own family was small (3 kids - rarity then), and he ensured that she too had some education.  So mak went to school and made it far enough to become a teacher.  But in general though, her life was still very very hard.

Mak was (and still is), a pretty lady.  (haha...yes, only my sis inherited those genes).  She was particular about the way she carried herself..."never mind if you are poor...but never be poor in values". That is one of her beliefs.  And she is such a people-person, that she goes around making friends to anyone she meets.

She met Abah...and in this area of love, she is one of the luckiest women in the world.  He adores her, and till today, panders to her whims and fancies.  I know of many other couples who envies their closeness.  Mum can sometimes be hard to please, but Abah has the patience of a saint when it comes to the idiosyncracies of his wife.

I grew up with a mother who worked...unlike so many of my Malay peers who had stayed home mothers.  The house ...er...just like mine right now...was perpetually in a state of mess, but that did not matter.  Sometimes there was no home cooked meals waiting, but we got by. 

Dare I say that I had always been the good, obedient child?
Somehow, she had drummed into me not to be wilful, though I picked up her sensitivities and impulsive nature.  I rarely had those clash of personalities arguments.  My sis says it is because I tend to take after my dad, in allowing things to slide.  Sis and mum though, are so alike that sparks fly when they disagree.

But mak made a lot of sacrifices.
And I see it so clearly now.  She was 'not there'...while I grew up, so now, she throws her energies into my kids.  She is their teacher, guide, friend, nagger, and grandmother.  She showers them with so much, and practically takes over some of the parenting role when I am not around.

I am so lucky and blessed.
Happy Birthday Mak.
May Allah Bless you always.  I pray for your good health, and that you will have a long, serene and contented life.  May you always be surrounded by love and happiness.
Ameen.
Love, Dibah