Wednesday, September 16, 2009

A Birthday bash @ Buka Puasa...


When I was growing up there was no such things as a Birthday Party. Birthday comes and goes, at time without notice. And then when we had kids we did it for them and now the kid did it for their kids. It is when the grand kids grow up that they decided to celebrate grandma and grandpa Birthday with cakes and candles and all the trimming of a party. It was fun to see the young grand kids waiting to blow out the candles as thought it was their Birthday Party. But then it was truly fun to watch the glitters in their eyes enjoying the Birthday do of their grandparents. Of course we the grand’s did enjoy that moment in time. Indeed a beautiful moment in our golden age that we would cherished forever and ever.

Last Monday was our eldest granddaughter nineteenth Birthday and she wanted to celebrate that special Birthday, the end of her teenage years with her friends from the college. She starts college last year and this year her younger sister joins her there. They both decided to do Medicine in the steps of their Mom and Dad. This is our eldest granddaughter first Birthday Party since been in college. Been in the month of Ramadan and to make it easy for everyone she decided to have it done at the Buka Puasa session on that evening at their home, not that faraway from ours.

So that evening just before the time of the Breaking of the Fast we drove to their home and on arrival I notice there are many cars parked at both sides of the roads. At that moment in time I was wondering why there are so many cars. I quip to grandma that there must be another party around but grandma quip back saying that it must be those friends of our granddaughter coming for the Buka Puasa cum Birthday Party. I was actually taken aback and indeed very surprise that all of them came driving on their own. The last time I met them there were just kids and it was their parents that send them and later pick them after the party is over. But today it was different in that they all came on their own driving their cars, perhaps borrowed from their parents and excited of getting to the party on their own. I even overheard one or two of them saying that it is their cars. Just like us they must be really fascinated with cars, the toys of our species.

I was indeed surprised and lost for words seeing the friends of our granddaughter all have grown up into adult in such a spans of times like a fast-forward scene. Indeed as seen in the image above they all have grown up into adults and on their way of becoming professionals in a few years time. These are science students who are now starting college in Year One at the MARA IB College at Banting. By this time next year they would leave to further their studies in Medicine, Engineering, Architecture, Accounting and other disciplines at various universities overseas. What an exciting moment that Birthday was to us, for we are seeing the generation of our grandchildren growing into adults with ambition beyond our wildest dream. These are the cream of the generation of our grandchildren and I am sure they would make it in whatever they are studying. Before we know it they would return with knowledge beyond the imaginations of their forefather and would contribute further toward the development of the country in fields beyond the thoughts of my generation.

In those days it was already great to get an Art degree and got a job in the MCS or the other Government services. Before that it was the out of the world experience to be selected and trained as teacher at Kirkby or other institutions in the UK. The return of those trained teachers brought much advancement in the level of teaching in our schools; which in turn produce many fine graduates at the local University especially the University of Malaya where most of our present leaders got their tertiary education. Now the generation of our children educated both at local universities and overseas are at the helms of many institutions and the country continue to progress. I am glad to get to see the generation of our grandchildren is again in the fore pursuing knowledge that would eventually bring up the country to another level. In that short period that I had interact with the group at that Birthday Party I am more optimistic then ever that they would made Malaysia proud in their achievement at the Universities. Where they would learn and experience the reality of living.

Folks it is only through good education that we would be able to prosper to a level like those in the west and with that the society would be able to enjoy a better quality of life then ever before. It is no longer a dream but a reality that would bore result in the making of a successful society. I told those young lads the road toward success is education and knowledge. And that they must continue to acquire knowledge to the highest level; for it is knowledge that allows a nation to be in control of its destiny. So to go ahead and acquire knowledge for their success would augur well for the future of this beloved country of ours, Malaysia. Have a nice day and take care.

[Please click on image to enlarge]

10 comments:

louis said...

What a moving post, Idrus.

It is so much more than a report about a Birthday Party, important as that would be.

It is the pride and confidence of you and Asmah having done a successful job of raising your kids and now handing off with deserved confidence and optimism to their generation and the generation that they will be handing off to.

Feels good, doesn't it?

Pak Zawi said...

Pak Idrus,
Lucky you to be living close to your children and grandchildren. I am not that lucky and I really look forward to their coming home for Raya to be together with them.
Yeah we old folks never celebrated our birthdays until the children started doing it for us. How awkward it felt when done for the first time hehehe.

Pak Idrus said...

louis, thanks for the visit and the good words on this posting.

Well, I thought that it is best I share my thoughts on some history that our generation saw as we move on in life. As you would agree we are a lucky generation in that we got to see the happening from the situation of the 'cave' to that of today's world of the advancement of science and technology. We are in the Information age that we never dream of living in. My hope is that with so much of information, the generation that would be taking over from us would do a better job; as well realized that they are better today because of what our generation did all those years.

Actually seeing that group made me felt great and happy that we get to see them progress in front of our eyes. I believe it is happening every where and we should all be thankful that we have achieved so much in that short period of three generations.

BTW how is that grand kid of your who is going to fly, up, up and away!

Have a nice day and take care.

Pak Idrus said...

Pak Zawi, thanks for the visit and the good words on the subject of this posting.

In a way we are lucky that they live in the same Kampong and we get to see them often. Like you we are always happy to have them around from time to time. Indeed an enjoyable time that's a bonus for us in our golden age.

Yes, it is only now we get to enjoy a Birthday bash, thanks to those grand kids who made it so much fun.

Have a nice day and take care.

Al-Manar said...

Pak Idrus
You are lucky to have come to the stage of seeing the beginning ofyour grandchildren's successful route in life. My eldest are just in form 2, at least another three years of waiting. But one of my Almanar pupils is at Banting and I can rejoice from that.
Selamat Hari Raya to you and family.
Pakcik

Ms B said...

Pak Idrus,

Wish you and family Salam Aidil Fitri. May you hv a blessed eid with your loved ones.

Pak Idrus said...

Al-Manar. Pakcik Hassan thanks for the visit and the good words on the subject of this posting.

Hardly we know it they have grown up to be an adult. I am indeed glad of been blessed with so many loved one and had the opportunity to see them grow up. It is a joy to be part of the extended family especially so at this juncture of life.

As for your cucu, it is a fast-forward living and the two years would just passes by and your grand kids would be in college. Well at least you now have one of your Almanar there and its sure a joy to watch their progress in life.

Have a nice day and take care. Selamat Hari Raya to U too.

Pak Idrus said...

Ms B, thanks for the visit and the Eid greeting. Much appreciated.

Selamat Hari Raya to you and the kid too. May you have a blessed eid in London.

Have a nice day and take care.

~CovertOperations78~ said...

Salam, Pak Idrus! Wow, your granddaughter is 19 already! How time flies! And the children grow up so fast. We should treasure our time with our loved ones while we still can. All too soon, they fly the nest. I love it that your family is so close-knit.

Pak Idrus said...

~Covert_Operations'78~, Ee Lynn thanks for the visit and sharing your thoughts on the subject of this posting.

Yes those kids grow fast indeed and before you knew it they are adult and gone to college. That is why I kept telling that we must enjoy life as we move on our journey of life.

It is important that we kept the family close and nurtured it with love. It is the aura of love that made life so beautiful.

Have a nice day.