So Soon...

I live within residential area that was built 30 years ago. I'd say more than 60% of my neighbours have been living here for the past 30 years (Yes, I know what you're thinking, my neighbours must be the elderlies). Sedari kecil I've always enjoyed being in the company of citizens in their golden ages. Mungkin sebab mase zaman kanak-kanak dulu saya selalu ikut/teman nenek ke mane saje. So, I have no problem mingling with the goldies here. Whenever I have the chance to hang out with them, I'd try to  get to know them a little better.
At one of the Feqah classes within the neighbourhood I enrolled in, I'm blessed to have met a dozen more loveable goldy ladies. There is this lady who was greatly missed by the rest of the class because her name has been mentioned a number of times during our Feqah classes sehingga saya tertanye-tanye siapakah pemilik nama tersebut. I finally get the chance to meet this lady selepas dia kembali dari long vacation.

Intrigued, we exchanged self-introduction and as usual I'd ask about her self, her whereabout, her family. Entah macam mane I got her talking about her departed son yang dijemput Ilahi 2 tahun lepas. He was only 25. He died of barah tulang. This loving mother shared what her beloved son went through till the day he laid in peace for ever. Her son was born health with no indication of catching this vicious disease. A few years sebelum arwah dijemput kembali, arwah decided to be his own boss by venturing into small business. Kate arwah by doing so he'd have spare time in his hands untuk ikuti kelas-kelas agama dan dekatkan diri kepada Allah. Tak lama kemudian, arwah selalu mengadu sakit yang amat sangat di kaki kirinya. Not taking any chances, si ibu decided to take her son for check up. He underwent multiple MRIs at the general hospitals but the doctors didn't see any abnormality in his brain cells. Si ibu tetap merasakan there was something wrong with his son despite the doctors diagnosis because he wasn't getting better. He was complaining still about his aching leg. They decided to go for another round of MRI scan, only this time they insisted that his leg be scanned. Luluhnya hati ibu when she learnt what she suspected was right all along. Cancer cells were spotted all over his leg. The only chance of his surviving cancer was to amputate his entire leg. Redha dengan ketentuan itu, her son agreed to undergo the treatment as prescribed by the doctors. That final Eid they celebrated together was at the hospital. Si anak teringin nak makan ketupat rendang, makanan wajib untuk Hari Raya. Si ibu dengan susah payah menyediakan apa jua yang anak inginkan. Who would have thought, that was his last Eid with his mother because as he was preparing to undergo therapy untuk membiasakan diri dengan keadaan dirinya selepas surgery, cancer cells had spreaded all over his vital organs. He went in peace. Akhir kalam perbualan kami, this loving mother said she didn't mind the amount of money used to fund for the treatment kalau itu dapat buy her more time with him and yes it allowed her the extra time to celerate their last Eid together.

What have I learned from the departure of this young man? There are a number of things I've learnt (1) It is true that money couldn't buy happiness or in this case no money in the world could ever replace her son. Tapi, if the means of money boleh memanjangkan lebih mase bersame, why not?  (2) Medical expenses are not cheap. In this case, the family spent 30 thousand plus for the treatment at public hospitals. Perhaps decades ago, most of the people in our country were not aware about the importance of getting yourself and your loved ones insured. The newer generations see the needs of insuring oneself sebab dorg tau medical expenses semakin hari semakin tinggi; better be ready for the rainy days. You never know when it will strike. (3) Pergi tak kembali tak kira tua atau muda, sihat atau sakit, lelaki atau perempuan. Our beloved prophet s.a.w was asked siapakah mukmin yang paling baik. Jawab nabi: yang paling bagus akhlaknya. Dia bertanya lagi: siapa pula yang paling cerdik? Nabi jawab: Mereka paling banyak mengingati mati dan melakukan persediaan selepas itu, itulah orang yang paling bijak” (Sunan Ibn Majah:4259). The choices are in our hands. PM tepi saya to share your plans to face the unforeseen circumstances.

#DiariWardina