The Sadness of Eid ul Adha

It was Eid ul Adha yesterday. So, to everyone, Eid Mubarak.

I particularly dislike thinking about Eid ul Adha because one day before 10 Zulhijjah in the year 1996, my beloved grandmother passed away. My grandmother, who took care of me since I was born until the day she died.. left us at about 8.30 a.m. on 9 Zulhijjah. And the worst part is, I wasn't by her side when she died, I was thousands of kilometres away from home.. She started feeling ill about 3 weeks before that, and my mother warned me to be prepared for all circumstances. I did not believe her. But by that time, opah (as I fondly call her) was already unconscious. And coincidentally, she died on the 27th of April - which is actually my elder brother's birthday..

Opah was a very strong woman, and extremely patient even after all that my late grandfather had done to her. She was a pious muslim, and a very obedient wife.. I pray that she is placed next to Allah's loved ones in the garden of Firdaus....

I miss her so much. And that is the reason why I don't particularly like thinking of Eid ul Adha, and that is also why everytime we celebrate Eid ul Adha and my elder brother's birthday, there are only tears in our eyes....

Opah... may we meet again in the hereafter.....