Growing Up

Once upon a time, when I was small, I always thanked God for a blessed, and a happy family that I have.

Our world was not perfect and that comfortable back in those days. Dad was working really hard to feed us all. He would go away for weeks for some money. But when he's home, he made the time to give us piggy rides on his back all around the house, while mom watching, smiling and laughing. We would wear his safety helmets and goggles and his coverall. And all four of us would argue who would go first. And we would always decide two-by-two. Me and Hajar, Hadi and Hakeem. Its only fair. Not fair to Dad's back though.

We would take pictures all the time, even at home. Dad loves taking pictures of mom and us. Every snap he took is still in the albums, and we would sit around and look at one album at a time, laughing and making fun of each other on how ridiculous and ugly we were when we were kids. Im glad he loves taking pictures of us.

Dinner time was like a birthday party, every night. We would eat, and tell stories, and talked and joked. Everyday, we would tell our parents how our day was. And they did too.

During weekends when he's around, we would spend ours helping him (or more of bugging him actually) while he do his gardening. We love raking out leaves and put it in a huge bundle, and dad would burnt it. Yes ppl, we had open fire in our backyard all the time. But back then there's no jerebu heh heh

I remember one night, we had a blackout, and dad told us to grab our chairs (we each had a small, bright colored chair) and go outside. And we sit outside for hours talking and looking at the stars that night. It was beautiful.

Mom was always home. I am always glad I had a full time mom. She would be there whenever we needed her. I always loved her hot milo she made in the morning for me before going to school. And she always packed me a "teh O" in my yellow tumbler for me to have during breaks. Pelik, but i always loved it.

When i hoped off the bus after school, I would ran into the house and take off my school uniform and my bag all over the house and wear nothing but my underwear. Ye, dgn tak malu nye mengaku. And mom would patiently picked all up and put it in my room. And I would play and watch TV with my sister and brothers.

At night, we read Quran in front of Mom right after Isya', still in our praying clothes. And Dad would take pictures again.

Weekends, we would helped Dad wash his car, or the carpet, or anything that has to do with the water hose, and we would be jumping up and down taking our clothes off and head for the shower. And Dad would take pictures too.

Dad was always blunt with showing his affection to Mom. He would hug her, hold her hands, and touching her head in front of us. And even in public. I know sometimes Mom was very shy, and sometimes she would avoid all the PA. But I know deep down she felt loved and happy and knew that the man she married loves her so very much that he would want the world to know how lucky he is to have her.

We love each other.

I love the fact that all of us are so close with each other. I would spend hours on the phone with my sisters or brothers even though I know I would see them the very next day. I love the fact I can always talk to them about everything and anything. And we could all understand our jokes. Except Aisyah! Haha Ok just kidding cah ;p

As I grow up, we never get to do all that anymore. But I get to see my other sister and brothers (after Hakeem) get their happy growing up moments. And Im glad things never change in our house.

And whenever I think of those good old days, I would smile, and felt so proud and blessed, and I wish my children will feel the same way I felt growing up.

As you can see, my life is full of noise. And people. And love.

So when its quite, it felt awful. Just awful.