This
Weeks Story
February
1, 2002
"Grand
Mom's Time"
With
eyes wide open
She knew it was time . . .
A
departure story from
Linni
Grand Mom's Time
from Linni
Hailing From: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Where it Happened: Grandmother's Place
(Editor's Note: I have not edited or spell checked this story so as not to modify any of the overseas spellings or expressions in words and phrases).
(Writer Linni's special note: This story is without prejudice attentioned to any one regardless of religion or race. It is purely for sharing. Thanks.)
This is a story about my Grand mom; her house, actually. She suffered stroke twice,and was bedridden for a few weeks before her death. She took care of me when I was a baby, and being the grand daughter that she loved the most (my mom is her youngest daughter) I took leave from work to take care of her one final time.
My Grand mom's stays in Penang (a city on the north part of Malaysia), so I took an 8 hour train ride, catch a bus to the house, and there, in the grim evening sun, stood the house. I have a really bad feeling upon entering, but it was because I was not prepared to see her. My mom did warn me, though, that Grand mom won't be in her best condition ( she suffers from diabetes and lost a lot of weight). I entered the room, I saw her. I cried .... there, lying on the mattress was the woman that took care of me, did'nt sleep when I had a tummy ache, ran bare-footed when I fell of my tricycle ... Please don't think bad of my mom, she was away, working in town and renting with her sister, don't ask about my Dad ...
Anyway, I laid down beside her, her familiar smell within me .... I closed my eyes, praying that God will take her away peacefully; she was the kindest lady I have ever met. It was at about 7:35pm, dinner time. It is also the time when the day turns to night, the time when you'll see a thin red line between the sky and earth; people say this is the time when the gates of hell opens ....
Me, mom and aunt were having a quiet dinner, Grand Mom's asleep when suddenly, it started drizzling and there was an electric static, the one that makes your hair (all of them) stand on ends. NO, don't laugh, it happens.
We ran to the hall, leading to my Grand Mom's room. She was awake but her eyeballs were focused to a certain part on the ceiling. We started reading quietly the Surah Yassin (as Muslims, we read this verses to someone who is dying, to ask for forgiveness and may Allah bless their souls). My Grand Mom was delirious by now .. my mom panicked, but my aunt told her to be clam and leave it to Allah. I was scared....really really scared (remember, i told you I'm her favourite grand daughter?)
I told my mom I HAD to take a leak ..... I ran to the toilet .....I heard the sound of "kolesu" pronouced ko-core, le-leigh, su-Sue (silver angklets worn by Hindus on both feet). I nearly fainted, I tried to call my mom, but my voice just stayed ....it refused to come out .... ANYWAY, I peeped outside the toilet door .... and what I saw was a Hindu figure, wearing a red 'saree' (it's an uncut 4 metres of cloth worn by Hindu ladies)with a yellow border, and fangs which curved in till her chin. No, I'm not joking ... it is all true.
I ran and reaching the room, I heard my Grand Mom start jabbering a string of words in Tamil (Hindu language)!! My aunt start start to read the verses louder, despite of the thunder and heavy rain (I know, it sounds dramatic)....all of a sudden, my Grand Mom says that she has to go because they have been waiting for her for a long time .... and that they can't wait any longer...
Suprisingly, the heavy rain turned its table and it was now drizzling again. I knew the time has come, I sat up close to my mom, and i help Grand Mom's hand. She was herself again, but we could hardly hear what she was saying .... I knew she was reciting some verses to herself .... and slowly, we saw life leaving her body ... My mom was calm, although I knew she was crying very inside.
A few minutes after that incident, where we had to call the imam (he is a religious person who teaches Islam in mosques) to arrange the proper burial etc ... I walked out to the gardens, it was already about 1244am, it was cool with a slight breeze, the fresh after rain smells around me .... I pray that Allah bless her soul in the afterlife ... without reasons, I felt hot tears down my cheek ....... Later, I found out from the local people, the site of that house was earlier supposedly to be a 'kuil' (Hindu temple)
**NOTE: This story is without prejudice attentioned to any one regardless of religion or race. It is purely for sharing. Thanks
Thanks for your story, Linni. It not only shares your encounter with us, but gives us a glimspe into your way of life and customs.
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One of my favorite "spirited" spots at the Grand Canyon
And a special Hello to Debbie Palombo, where ever you are!
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