Selamat Hari Raya, Maaf Zahir Batin
There is this clinic back in my hometown located just next to a mosque - and probably still the only mosque and clinic around. As a place for spiritual and physical healing, both has been serving people of Padang Rengas well, all these years.
Back then our house is just few hundreds meter away - this must be the most strategic location in view of morden "House Buyer's guide". We, kids, would start our day when Zuhr prayers clears the morning air, prepares to go home for dinner when Maghrib was heard - well past Isha, if we are tussling with some Malays kids in our back yard (With Indian, that's another chapter in high school, haha).
That will be the final warning before the next voice, of my father. We could hear him inside our neighbor's washroom! Maybe he get the idea from our Muslim friend's prayer - your children will hear you, always. By all means, we all are, God's children.
Now, the mosque has been rennovated - the tallest structures in our town was never out of our sight, and still rule the almost-still air of Padang Rengas with its new loud speakers. Life is still simple. We worries what to cook, chat about the coming election in morning market. No JUSCO or TESCO, so communication and interaction took place in small grocery shops.
And you are still wondering how to promote multi-racial intergration? You are drafting "Ethnic Relation" course for local universities? Have you heard of Early Intervention Program (EIP)? I would rather looks mentally challenged that you would put the food at the right place, right time.
Anyway we now moved to somewhere deeper and higher in the village. Father is getting old and he uses handphone instead. We heard the clinic is closing soon, inevitable since young doctors hardly interested in small town like this. So who will be the next Pakiam of Padang Rengas? And who is going to take care of the soul of the 27 millions?
As for Jenn Yee, she will be always under the watchful eyes of her guardians - uncles, aunts, and most of all her parents and grand parents. Her new discovery and our worries - the staircase. She fell and we said sorry. We just can't keep the world away from her, can we? Maybe by the time she grew up, we have different definition of, being a Malaysian.
But all will be celebrating, celebrated.
Selamat Hari Raya, Maaf Zahir Batin*
* Can be roughly translate to "I/we extend with all our hearts for forgiveness and best wishes of warmth (on this holy Muslim Festival)"
11 Comments:
Will be back to hometown for the weekend. Thanking you in advance, Pandabonium and Moody, for leaving a message here, haha. Will come back to you guys soon!
Yes, Jenn Yee will learn to grow up with the stair.. but do be careful, at this age, she will climb everywhere :)
Hopefully the watchful eyes will prevent another fall.
Another sweet picture. Listen to your wise uncle Jenn Yee, and the world will be kind to you. But the law of gravity will not relent, so be careful on the stairs.
Japan has a shortage of doctors (I'm told). I view most of that industry in the "developed" world as being unnecessary. But a clinic for a small town is certainly a must. I hope a doctor with a love for the town will find the rewards of serving it to be worth forgoing higher pay in the big city.
Funny how some will give lavishly to a temple or church upon reaching an age where they foresee their own demise, yet not support a medical facility. Is it that medical care seems to be a short term need, whereas the religions offer "forever"?
Robin...
Yes my friend, watchful eyes indeed :p She climbs and sometimes "walk" with certain support like along the sofa, round the small table :) Going back to see her this weekend so let's see what she can do now :)))
Pandabonium...
Haha yes of course, I'm just joking on (letting) her falling - not from/near the stairs anyway :)
Oh, small clinic and warm-hearted doctor is important - especially during emergencies. It is the same doctor who tends my bicycle-motorcycle-etc.-accident wounds or press a needle to my late grandpa's vein when his asthma attact suddenly. It's a shame that I blamed him, then, as now I see the meaning of him being there, and as of now.
Having said that we also have a government clinic, say, 1 km away? But their working hours is rather hard to predict, that's all! Malaysia has shortage of doctors and nurses as well - ironically most doctor prefer to have their own clinic than staying in government hospitals citing long working hours and without comparative remuneration.
So now we have more private (much more expensive) medical services with insurance companies cash in their client's medical cards happily. Reality is people are reluctant to spend more on medical care/check up or just being ignorant to their state of health.
For me, I will first watch my diet/lifestyle, see the doctor then have something to do with the temple!
you said, "For me, I will first watch my diet/lifestyle, see the doctor then have something to do with the temple!"
See, I told your niece you were wise!
Hi Low, can't wait for you to tell us about your visit to Bulgaria. Enjoy yourself in the meantime.
Happy, I am still wondering how you know I am in Bulgaria :p Anyway things are great here - snowing but some sunny days will fantastic walk around Bulgarian mountain :) Later, then :) Have a nice weekend too!
...and some snippet here...:)
http://workcamps.info/blogs/icm2007/
http://www.adinabasarim.net/
Low, didn't you know? I've got an RFID in you. lol
Thanks for the links - enjoyed visiting the sites. Keep up the great work!
Hi! Me again, commented before in your other entry. I know, you've written the entry 11 years ago. however, our hometown remains the same. your previous house was opposite the mosque, while my parent's house is nearby the mosque. we were neighbour actually! lol!
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