My Children

The house looks so empty now since the children have moved out, getting married and studying in universities and colleges. My husband and I are all by ourselves. Sometimes it is exciting because we can do a lot of things that we can't do when the kids a re around. But most of the time, it is very quiet. Having five children might sound too many to too many people but actually when I look back, maybe I should have more. They grow up so fast. The gap between the eldest and the youngest is only eight years old.

Last night, my husband and I had an invitation for a 'berbuka puasa'. There sat on the next table to us, was a young couple with five children. My husband and I looked at each other. Everything in the past sort of flashed back in front of eyes. The couple have a small baby girl about 10 months old, 2 boys age 2 and 10 years and another 2 girls age 7 and 9 years old. Not much different from our children. The couple were struggling with the baby because she started to scream her lungs out, while the other children were busy playing and started to disturb the other guests. They thought we would mind when the wife started to apoplogize. I quickly said that I loved to see her children running around like that because they really reminded us our own children when they were at that age. How I missed those times.

Shuhadah, Bahiyah, Mardhiah and Radhiah

All my children have their personalities and characteristics. Shuhadah being the eldest, is quite stubborn and has a very strong head. She is the cutest in the family. She might be small in size but she has a will power of a steel. She has a very strong character but at the same time she is a moody person, most of the time, especially nowadays. May be because of her job that is so challenging. It is quite difficult to please her but she is a very considerate person. She is a very responsible but she can easily get annoyed if the others do not follow her instructions. I wanted her to know more about housekeeping before marriage but she was too busy working. Anyway, now she is married to a wonderful guy and I hope her husband can lead her to be a good wife that follows the Islamic ways. My husband and I are very proud of her and pray that she has found her happiness.

Mardhiah... well, she has her own character that is quite difficult to know. I know she is the most stubborn one among the children but she can also be the sweetest. She is a quiet person, doesn't talk much. Sometimes I wonder what is going on in her head. She is a responsible person. She is very hardworking, loves to help me around the house. Sometimes she didn't realize her own capability and always look down on herself. I hope she realize one day that she has her own uniqueness and her is worth everything. She tries too much to please us without realizing she has done too much. Anyway, we love her the same.

Zabid... my only son, the pride and joy of the family. He was a very naughty boy when he was young. He was the one who would always get the punishment from the father but now, ever since he has grown up as young handsome guy, he has changed tremendously. He is a responsible person even though we still wonder what is he up to. He can create a lot headaches to me and his sisters, sometimes. There is always something going on with him. I just hope that he knows what he is doing. Anyway, he is studying to be an architect.

Our fourth child is Bahiyah, who is now in Moscow, studying medicine. Well... there is nothing much to say about her because she is the least troubled person in the family. She is sweetest and most kind hearted person, the least problematic child and I can't actually remember any particular time when she was a baby. She is so matured, loves to play with her brother and they would do a lot of things together. She also liked to play 'teacher' to her younger sister. She always act as a responsible older sister. She would make sure her youngers sister was alright when they were in primary school and when they were away for a summer camp, she would take care of everything. When ever I think back what she had done for her younger sister, my tears will feel up my eyes. It was really a blessing to have her in the family. I hope and I pray that she will find some one who can really take care of her. I am so very sure that she can be an excellent doctor.

Our youngest, Radhiah... the playful in the family. She got away with a lot of things when she was young. She has a very strong character and when she wants something, she will work for it. She has grown up into a different person now, very responsible person, love to help around the house. She loves games and most of all, she likes the attention. I am sure she is going to be very successful in her career.

All of them have grown up now. Shuhadah is working and married. Mardhiah and Zabid is now in UiTM doing their degrees, Bahiyah is in Moscow, studying medicine, while Radhiah is in Inti College, doing her Preparatory American Program. My husband and I are very proud of their achievement so far. We believe that if we die tomorrow, they are doing alright. Thanks ALLAH for everything.... what more can I ask?