The Joy of Eid

I guess I had a different kind of Eid celebration this year. The month of Ramadan that preceded it flew so fast. I've been having a lot of emotional turbulences before Ramadan came, so Ramadan came just at the right time. Like what God has ordained, during this entire month, I tried to place more emphasis on my religious actions as opposed to my daily routine and emphasis on worldly matters. The essence of Ramadan, which is to become humble, simple and free from ill-will, anger, and hate, really came through to me this time. I found solace in Ramadan. And in God.

Eid came soon after. I felt like a kid, counting the days when I would head home and join my family and  cuddle with my baby nephew, Qaleef. I even baked some cookies, my first-time ever! Luckily they turned out fine. I guess next year I won't have to buy any cookies! Haha. We'll see.

I don't know why but this time around I didn't say no whenever my mom asked me if I wanted to join her visit our relatives. Normally I would restrict my visits to immediate family members, like my maternal aunts and uncles. Normally I would be staying at home, waiting for people to come to our house until it is time for me to head back to Bangi. But this time around, I found myself tagging along my mom's entourage of  (minimum) 5 cars! On the first day, after visiting my  aunt, we ended up in Pogoh, where most of my mom's relatives are. I met a lot of relatives I didn't know exist! I saw how humble these kampong people were, always welcoming and eager to serve you whatever food they had. This humbleness really touched my soul.

On the second day of Eid, we ended up in Muar. My uncle and his family wanted to visit his son-in-law's family. Again, I was touched by the humbleness of these people. They welcomed us with their warm hospitality and delicious food. Even though life is hard for them, and they had to serve us on make-shift park benches under the trees outside their small hut, it did not deter them from being gracious and hospitable to their guests. I started to become sentimental.

             Humility is a joy to be celebrated

On the third day, I decided to visit my ex-roommate, Zati, in Malacca. I brought my niece with me. Again, I was welcomed by Zati and her whole family. Her mom made the best lauk lemak cili api ikan semilang salai, I tell you! I ate to my heart's content! I also had fun catching up with Zati, who had just been married in December. When I left, my car boot was full with durians and rambutans! Now that is the ultimate testament to kampong hospitality!

When I arrived home, everyone was getting ready to adjourn to my late grandma's house. My uncle had arranged for a massive barbecue. All my uncles, aunts, cousins etc were going to be there. I guess it was like the climax of the Eid celebration. After all if a celebration like Eid does not have its ultimate excitement, it takes away something from the whole festivity. I was surprised and shocked when my aunt, who earlier on had organised an Open House at her place, came to find me in the kitchen and handed me some nasi lemak she had packed exclusively for me. Because I was away, visiting my ex-roommate in Melaka, I could not go to her Open House. Perhaps she knew how I adore her nasi lemak. Every year she would prepare nasi lemak for her Open House and I never failed to wallop at least three plates! Haha.Her sambal is simply out of this world! So while everyone else was enjoying their barbacue, I was in the kitchen alone, savouring her delicious nasi lemak! I couldn't believe how thoughtful my aunt is. My uncle, too. Earlier on, he told my aunt he would keep some mangosteens for me, since I love mangosteens so much! My aunt asked me to get the mangosteens from her car boot before leaving for home. I couldn't believe my ears! How thoughtful and considerate! My aunt and uncle, whom I rarely see, could actually remember what I like to eat! I became over sentimental and nearly cried! What drove them to become so kind and caring simply went beyond my thinking capacity. 

What was special with Eid this time around is how it had fulfilled my emotional needs and made me realize a lot of things. I saw and experienced kindness, thoughtfulness, friendliness, as well as humbleness. These qualities touched my soul and I realized how uplifting and enriching it is to be able to give in these ways. I guess a crucial aspect of Eid is to give - in whatever form one can.The joy of Eid multiplied when giving is done. And giving need not be limited to material. When one forgives, for example, that is giving. When one welcomes friends and families into his or her home, that is also giving. 

My mom's family is big, and most of my aunts and uncles make a living in Segamat. My mom's family is quite a close-knit one. Even though I don't get to see them often, whenever we get to see each other, we would catch up on a lot of things. I'm quite special to them, I think. Hehe. Well, I'm their eldest niece. Amongst my cousins, I'm their eldest. I think they look up to me a bit. Hehe. It is this special bond that has made me toy with the idea to make Segamat my home when I retire. My late Dad had left me a piece of land in Segamat. It isn't that big but big enough to build a house.  I envision living a quiet life in Segamat, surrounded by the ones I love, once I retire. Ah, how sentimental is that?


Critics have a problem with sentimentality. Readers do not. I write for readers. ~ Mitch Albom

Humility makes us aware of our personal limitations and the limitations of humanity more broadly. We acknowledge that there is much we do not know, that certainty is impossible, and that our understandings of the world are provisional at best. Humility opens us to growth and love. ~ Anonmymous