Happy Eid Mubarak to everyone who is celebrating!
I recently returned to my hometown and spent some time at my family home. Upon my arrival, I went directly to visit my grandmother. She looks the same since my last visit, and not much has changed, though her figure is slightly skinnier than before.
She remembered me (which made me happy, since she tends to forget everyone). They said she’d been calling me in her dailies by my full name. I was surprised since we hadn’t seen each other as much since I started college. It’s remarkable how she still remembers me even as the rest of her world fades away. I feel flattered that she holds memories of me dearly in her mind.
As we sat together, reminiscing about the good old days. I found myself throwing back to a time when life was simpler. It struck me how fortunate I was to have shared precious moments with her during her prime time.
I remember with fondness her rituals of Ramadhan. The early morning we spent preparing for suhoor. Another moment preparing for iftar, and rushing for Tarawih. The hectic chaos we had the day before Hari Raya Idul Fitri. Her traditional way of cooking her Rendang with firewood. Put beans in her Rendang because I love them. Preparing her antique plate collection to be ready for festivities. The lazy afternoon we spent sitting on her porch, watching the world go by and so much more.
I cherished them a lot.
Amidst this nostalgia, there’s a bittersweet realization that time is fleeting. As I listen to her stories now, I kind of realize how far her memories have faded away. Well, yeah as my family told me, maybe it’s her time. If we reach her age, we might experience the same thing as well.
As I grew older, I noticed that some of her personality traits had been passed down to me. One of those traits is I enjoy my solitude so much. It’s not like I am anti-social, I simply value time with myself. This is in contrast to the rest of my family who are all extroverted social butterflies who could attend up to five events in a day, while my social battery runs out after the second. I found it odd at first, maybe it’s because I am shy. But it turned out, that maybe I shared a similar trait with her. It sounds odd, but somehow brought me a deeper sense of connection with her and her influences in my life.
During Lebaran this year, I’ve come to appreciate the subtle yet profound moments with my family, especially my grandma. I am happy for a chance to be her private assistant, her friend, her daughter, and her grandchild.
Okay, that’s all for today. Have a nice Eid!
With love, Nay.
