A grand aunt had just recently passed away at the age of 85. She has been unwell and bed bound most of the time in the past 5-6 years. I myself is unclear of the reasons of her being bed bound. Her legs progressively weaken over the years, from moving slowly, to being able to sit down only and finally spending most of the time in the bed. Since then, her world was never beyond the village house anymore. The old creaky bed, made of belian wood was where she rests, takes her food and does her business. Bathing time is twice per day. All taken care of the very diligent daughters and sons, my aunts and uncles. They never failed to keep her kempt and comfortable. Unlike the some old folk's home that I have visited before, the room where she slept is clean, airy and free of fecalith odour. The wooden hinged windows allows just enough light to pass in, and allow her to have a glimpse of world outside, even if it was just the change of seasons and blue sky. Probably that was the window that she used when she was younger to see if the washed clothes on the line were dry. Or, that could be the window that she used to lean on while waiting for the my late grand uncle to come back for lunch after a day in the market selling satay.
She is no more bounded by the belian walls of the old village house. Her next temporary house will be the realm of intermediaries, or the alam barzakh. This will be the final longest trip. The trip that nenek will be left alone in the dark, quiet and souless place, when all of us will be at the house, the house that you have lived half your life. We will pray for you nenek, so that your torment in the grave will be lessened.
Yes, nenek, although you have left us all, it is just a matter of time before we will follow suite, awaiting for the day of resurrection, the day that all of us, will be judged. Thanks for reminding us, dear nenek.
MAY all of us be awarded Jannah.
Passed away 20 March 2011, 11AM.
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