Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Tuesdays With Bapak

Will We Hear Your Laugh Again? -- August 26 2008

When we left you late last night, you were trying to open your eyes but you couldn't.

We knew you were trying so hard but the drug was just too strong for you.

Perhaps, you should listen to the nurse --"don't fight it, go with it."

So, Bapak, go with it. Slowly, you'll come around ..

We know you can hear us now, Bapak.

Dr Ridzwan texted me this morning to say that you are now breathing on your own but you are still very weak.

He has ordered that you will not be allowed visitors, except close relatives.

I suppose, we have to abide by your doctor's orders, haven't we?

It is for your own good, Bapak. We know you like to hear familiar voices and a little noise...

Perhaps, later, when you have regained whatever little strength that you have..

And did we detect your lips quivering last night, as though you were attempting to smile when you heard our voices.

And, Bapak. Please try not to pull the tube out of your mouth. It will only cause you pain. And, no, no....don't try to rip the drip from your hand. Besides, you really can't pull these tubes out...your senses are numb, remember?

We watched you. So frail now. So thin. Lying helpless on the hospital bed.

But, you know what....we think you're going to be ok..

Ah....to just hear your laugh again....

Bapak, here's Jalaluddin A-Rumi's poem (your favourite):

I sought a soul in the sea
And found a coral there;
Beneath the foam for me
An ocean was all laid bare.

Into my heart's night
Along a narrow way
I groped; and lo! the light,
An infinite land of day.


*Bapak is in the Intensive Care Unit Of the Pantai Medical Centre.

32 comments:

hashim said...

Dear Nuraina,

Best wishes for Pak Samad, hope he recover soon.

I know, he is a fighter....

zaitgha said...

when i read this, its like dejavu ...its so similar to whats going on to us in April 2007...

and again, i pray for your dad to be alright...

Ariff Sabri said...

puan,
saya mendoakan semoga pak samad bertambah sihat.
during my university days, my friends and i used to see pak samad in his suit alighting from the Peugeot 504 NST car, i think. he was as we remember the media mandarin caricatured by Lat. scares everyone. haha

tan, tanjong bungah said...

Hi Nuraina,

My family's best wishes and prayers for Pak Samad to recover ASAP.

Anonymous said...

Dear Nuraina and Siblings
Very sad to hear about your father in ICU. You and your siblings, hang on there, all your whispers and voices are heard by your father although he is not fully concious. My prayers for him.

Fatimah Yeop Sendiri

Ramli AR said...

24 Sha'ban 1429
Salam

Sekali lagi, saya doakan yang terbaik untuk Pak Samad.

Ramli AR

Anonymous said...

InsyaAllah Pak Samad cepat sembuh. Doa buat nasionalis sejati negara.

Fida Ruzki said...

Kak Aina... semoga Pak Samad selamat hendaknya.

Anonymous said...

Kak Ena,

I am crying at Starbucks, on lunch hour!

I know this isn't going to be easy for you and those lovely sisters of yours but if I could share something with you...

A day before Ayah passed away, I knew it was coming and I asked him "Ayah, what would happen to me?"

To which he replied with the sweetest smile I have ever seen in my life, "you, my darling daughter, are just going to be fine."

I cried an ocean away. Then he added, "because I raised you to be so..."

Those were his last words to me. And Kak Ena, if I may borrow Ayah's words, you too, are going to be just fine.

I love you Ayah, I love you for raising me to be who I am today and I miss you so much. I hope you wait for me at Jannah.

Prayers for Bapak, loads of prayers for Bapak.

I love you and Kak Ton.

Anonymous said...

Kak Aina,

I hope Pak Samad will come through this too, insyaALLAH.

You take care.

Rockybru said...

Dearest Ena,

Your dad is so fortunate to have a daughter like you, to have kids like his children. Sometimes I wonder if my dad thought we did OK taking care of him in his final months and moments. It's nearly 10 years since he was gone but I still wonder if I did OK.

Which was why I was very upset that you almost missed the flight home from Penang. Upset with the Moron for suggesting that we took that stupid route to the airport. I knew you wanted badly to be at the hospital with your dad. I was glad you made the flight. (Thank you Air Asia for making it possible).

May Pak Samad complete that gallant comeback to health. He'll be happy to hear that Anwar Ibrahim has won the Permatang Pauh by-election ... (according to this blog, at least).

Anonymous said...

In a recent Gallup poll of people with terminal illness, when asked about their nonphysical needs:

55% of them wanted someone to be with them all the time someone with whom they can share their fears or concerns.

54% would like to have someone all the time with them.

An Old Friend
50% would like to have someone pray for them.

50% would like to have the opportunity to pray alone.

Rumi's poems are not only meaningful but also beautiful. Best if you could read Rumi's poems for him near to his ears. Not only for him but also for yourself. Hearing is the last sense to depart a dying soul...

Ask him to keep saying the mantra... Bismillah hi rahma nir rahim ...or Allah hu Akbar....Or if he prefers Om Mani Padme Hum;(jewel in the lotus of the heart) to soothe his heart and feelings.

Anonymous said...

Dear Nuraina,

i admire your strength, courage and calmness, as you care over your bapak. I am certain your bapak will be so proud of you too.

We pray that your bapak will recover soon.

nadya.s said...

Dear puan nuraina,

my doa for pak samad. my prayers for him..semoga sihat kembali.

and doa to PKR n Anwar ibrahim too..

pua kang kang said...

Don't worry girl... Bapak will be ok.. and in no time he will be reading you poems...

Anonymous said...

Kakak

Reading the first few lines of your article brings tears to my eyes.

May God look after Pak Samad and give you and your family strength to be there for Pak Samad...

Kerp (Ph.D) said...

my doa for Pak samad to pull through, insyaAllah.

Unknown said...

Dear Nuraina.

My heart is with you and your Bapak. Will continue to pray for his speedy and complete recovery.

Take care.

Anonymous said...

Best wishes for your Bapak.
I don't even know you Nuraina, but I know you are a good daughter.

May god bless you all

Unknown said...

Hi Nuraina,
HOpe your dad is feeling better..i'll keep you in my prayers...you take care ok?

The Fairy said...

Kak Ena,

My prayers for you to keep your strength, and prayers for Pak Samad for a speedy full recovery.

madkhul said...

Assalamulakium Nuraina,

Saya berdoa agar Bapak akan Pulih.

Dari orang jauh di Melbourne Australia.
Sharing the same star Virgo. Year of the Monkey. born 9 9 1944.

Madkhul

Anonymous said...

Dearest Ena,
I'm sorry to hear about your father. Just got back from JB for my father's tahlil. I doakan semoga Pak Samad sembuh secepat mungkin and that you remain strong for him.
Since he's not allowed visitors now, do give him a kiss for me, okay?

flyer168 said...

Dear Nuraina,

Sad to hear about Pak Samad's health.

Our prayers are with with him for his recovery soon insha'Allah.

Hope you & your siblings remain strong, keep Bapak comfortable & have faith in Allah.

Cheers & take care.

IBU said...

Salam Kak Ena,

Hope Bapak will be alright soon, insyaAllah....

KS Cheah said...

Dear Nuraina,

I can feel what you are going through and my heart goes out to you and your family. May your dad recover soon. Please take care.

Cheah

Anonymous said...

Dear Kak Ena

Thanks for the posting on your dad, atleast kita semua tahu the update...

Best Wishes for Tokoh Wartawan Negara Pak Samad and our pray for him to recover soon.

Nani
Big Apple

Anonymous said...

Kak Aina,

I heard the news on Sunday nite. I decided to visit on Monday after office. I guess at that time, the doctor has not come out with the advice of no visitors. Lucky me.

I couldn't stay for long as I could not bear looking at him in the condition that he is in.

I pray that he will recover soon, so that I can "salam" him again during my next Hari Raya visit.

By the way, Sina sends her regards.

MARIANI

Anonymous said...

mama ena, if us still remember me, im the one who acknowledged your dad with someone else's name.

im so sad reading the newspaper yesterday and i hope everythings gonna be ok. somehow i can relate on what u feel now because i had gone through this sitiation before. my dad was in ICU too, early this year. but he is ok now and i am really thankful for that.

i hope your dad will recover soon. dont worry, we are all pray for him averyday. may Allah protect him all the way.

thats all for now mama ena, =D.

assalamualaikum

aiyomanaboleh said...

Have faith my friend. Your dad is smiling and laughing only that you can't see it.

He is a good man. He will be OK.

Anonymous said...

I have never met either you or Pak Samad.. but I know both of you have touched the lives of many through your writing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Anonymous said...

Salam kak.

Nampaknya situasi kita hampir serupa. Abah saya pula sudah sebulan lebih di wad kebakaran di Hospital Ipoh akibat melecur tersimbah minyak panas...

Sebagai anak, bila kita lihat ayah yang selama ini menjadi ketua dan pelindung keluarga terbaring lemah, tak terkata kesayuan di dalam hati ini. Kalau boleh biarlah Allah berikan kesakitan itu pada saya,daripada ditanggung oleh tubuhnya yang uzur itu...

Bersabarlah kak... Sebagai Muslim, kita sedar satu masa kita akan tetap menghadapi saat-saat perpisahan. Semoga Ramadan ini memberi kerahmatan buat kita semua.

Wassalam.