|
|
Although I saw them place Tok Siti in a crude wooden coffin, I did not attend the Tahlil or the prayers afterwards to send her to her grave. I have a test soon and my parents thought it best that I return to my University.
Not that I studied anyway.
Most modern teenagers would argue that it is better that old ideas die out and remain in the past. I truly believe that without our past we can never progress with the future. Without accepting how things were and why it happened, we cannot change things that are present. I regret never having the opportunity to truly talk to my grandmother before she went senile. I regret not being able to ask her about the three eras; British, Japanese, and our own rule, which was the best and why. What a mind she must have had, what spirit she had to continue living even when her body has shriveled to pale shadow of its former glory. What a life she must've led before I learned that cigars are bad for your lungs!
All of the things she could've told me, taught me, and to discover.
I miss her.
May Allah bless her soul.
Translations:
Tok : Penangite Malay dialect for grandfather/grandmother, unisex term
Datuk : Standard Malay for grandfather
Nenek : Standard Malay for grandmother
Baju kurung : a form of Malay dress, worn by the women.
Kafan : white cotton cloth to wrap the dead
Tahlil, Zikir : Islamic Prayers
Mak Cik : Universal term for adults not of your parents for female
Pak Cik : Universal term for adults not of your parents for male
|
Tags
You must be logged in to add tags.
|
Writer Profile
Azira Aziz
There are no definitive truths, there are no definitive facts, all we have are mere opinions, of which significance is derived from consensus.
|
Comments
You must be a TakingITGlobal member to post a comment. Sign up for free or login.
|
|
