Tuesdays With Me

"I am fine. Canada is awesome and campus is amazing," Adel replied, in his facebook wall to Shaira the other day.

Aah...modern day communication tool. The best 21st century invention.

Well. I'm happy that Adel is settling in well in Canada. It's better that he finds Canada awesome than to hate it and everything about it.

"But does that mean you're not ever coming home?", I asked. A little mischief there trying to put him on a guilt trip.

He didn't reply. But in a facebook messge to Kak Ton, he said he will come home after graduation and present me with a daughter-in-law and a grandchild.

And, of course, I know he was joking. Still, I'd have to have a little chat with my young man.

Adel has always been full of positivity and optimism. I hope this will put him in good stead as he begins a new journey, a new experience in this foreign land...which, as it turns out, does not seem so foreign to Adel, after all.
Must be his life-long exposure to TV, movies and every imaginable media tool. In this day and age, nothing should be so foreign to anyone anymore.

Adel was still home during the first week of Ramadan. He left for Canada on the ninth day (early Sunday morning of Aug 30).

As we were sitting in the TV room enjoying quiet moments, he said: "Mummy will be okay when I'm away?"

Of course, I'd be ok, I told him. I should be the one worried about him. And during Ramadan, I am concerned about how he'd be breaking fast and whether he'd be able to have his "sahur" meals at all.

I asked him in his facebook wall how he was celebrating Shawal.

"There is a mosque near my area...."

Everytime I break my fast, and everytime I sahur, I think of my son,

I know I shouldn;t because, well, he is a big boy.

For the first time (in all ramadan), I gave the bazaar a miss. I have not gone to any. Not once. Not even on weekends.
It's because of the swine flu, for sure. Better safe than sorry.
You know how crowded these places are.
Instead, I buy my buka fare at our neighbourhood restaurant.

But even during previous Ramadans. I'd usually buy one or two types of kuih, Adel's favourite yong taufoo and otak-otak, and for Shaira, ikan bakar. I'd get for myself and the maid, laksa kedah or laksa penang. I'd also get ayam percik (for sahur).
Actually, it's not so much the buying and spending, but just walking past the stalls that's fun. Just taking in the smells and sounds. I loved it.

The strange thing is, though, I don't mind at all not going this year.

Besides, Adel used to accompany me to the bazaars on weekends or when he was not at school or college.

I'd better get used to him not being around.

As I have said. We're already into our third week of Ramadan.

Sungguh cepat masa berlalu.

And before I know it, I'd be celebrating Adel's return home. With or without menantu and cucu.

Meanwhile, I hope I'll be able to hold back my tears on the eve of Syawal when the Takbir begins to resonate...