The Eid that greeted me this year was embraced with simplicity, but with a dash of melancholy. Unlike the previous years, Eid was a time of joy and cheer, even with the biggest of problems. 2005 came with big shattering news to myself, my chirpy and good-natured second aunt, and of two uncles.
The holidays were salvaged by the presence of many inspiring individuals, who brought back the spirit of hope to me. I struck a friendship with my junior cousin, who is 13, and experiencing prepubescence. Whenever I am in Kelantan, I would come to her and talk, trying to hold a simple conversation. Back then she was still a young child and thought of me, the elder cousin, as the boring one.
Now she has blossomed into a fine, intelligent, self-driven young woman. At a young age, she realizes the importance of education, and its role in changing your life by allowing you greater avenues. At this tender age, she has to grapple with peer pressure, and of not ‘fitting in’ as she enjoys reading and going to the library in her leisure while others of her age prefer playing pranks and gossiping. I knew that she had to overcome her dyslexia, a condition she had since young. It was a beautiful evolution. Now she would ask me about university life, about my passion and work, and we would talk about what she likes etc.
Then, there are my little cousins ranging from 3-6 years old. They are the uncorrupted group (from TV or friends), who at their tender age, have actually some form of maturity unseen in many kids their age. My little cousin whose name literally means My World (Alami), has already mastered the Malay art of ‘kiasan’. Haha. I find that so amusing. She is also a little thinker, always deep in thought when she’s not singing the Powerpuff Girls song or talking to herself (I suppose she has an imaginary friend).
We also have her elder sister Aishah (6 yrs old), who is the leader of good values. My mom has an attachment with Aishah, and brainwashed her to give her pecks on her cheek and Aishah would readily do so. At one time, Aishah even convinced the other kids to give my mom kisses until evryone thought it was soo cool that they all wanted a go at my mom’s cheeks…No Way!
Lastly is my cousin Luqman (3-4 yrs old), whom we all call Abe (as in abang but in Kelantanese). He doesn’t watch cartoons, but can tell me what happening on the news. His prefered channels are NGEO, APL, Discovery and Jejak Rasul. I was reading a book about The Earth, which had some pictures in them, and he could name almost all the items I pointed at. When I commented how smart he is for knowing so much (before his mother told me what he watches), he got really excited and wanted me to read to him some more (kids like praise and to be appreciated!).
Basically, these individuals gave me hope that even if things look gloomy, you can still be of service to others. It doesn’t matter who you are or what position you hold. Either you are a politician, a monk, a teacher, a CEO, a normal person, young or old… you can affect many people around you.
I visited a married couple and their beautiful baby Azzama (similar to my name! No wonder…haha), my friend Chai Yun Chao, and later a stop at Idah’s (Raihan was unavailable due to the presence of visiting family members). Earlier during Eid (Raya), I had a Grand Subang Tour, where I tried to visit as many friends from USJ to Subang. 
