(On her 2nd birthday. You were there remember, A?)
May 21, 2007
Happy Birthday, A!
Happy Golden Birthday!
You deserve to be among friends and loved ones today but nobody seems to know where you are. You did mention that you wanted to go AWOL/MIA but I didn't think you were serious. You turned off your mobile and we did not get a response from our text messages. Where are you, birthday gal?
Turning 50 is a golden landmark, at least that's what I thought when I turned "golden" a couple of years ago. And I would imagine you would want to celebrate it with loved ones and close friends.
I did, and although there was no big bang party that might require Bomba to put out the 50 candles, a cosy home affair with a little pulut kuning and accompaniments and the must-have birthday cake that my dad insisted on created just the right cosy atmosphere. So there I was right at home, and friends and family who remembered dropped by the house, even until late, and nobody made a fuss that there was no splashing birthday party. I had a great time even though it was very different from what I had planned years ago. The plan years ago was for a few of us turning 50 in the same year to make a trip to Hawaii (if married, sans spouse) to let our hair down at the site of Hawaii Five O. Only 50 somethings would remember the Hawaii Five O programme on t.v. many years ago.
Whatever your reasons are for disappearing today and leaving all of us, your siblings and your close buddies guessing where you are, those reasons must be good and valid. And justified, I suppose. But you will need to explain it to me so I can understand. I am guessing that you might be with your son, or perhaps with your daughter. But why is it necessary to be so secretive?
Since you are not here today and if you are browsing my blog journal, I am hoping that you will hop over to this one to claim your birthday greetings from me. I am wishing you a very happy ulang tahun and may the last 50 years serve you well over the next 50. May all your remaining dreams come true and that your kindness to me and my family be rewarded by the Almighty in this lifetime and the here after and that you will be looked after really well.
You are one of the most resilient persons that I have been priviledged to know. You probably think I have been a good shoulder to lean on and a great listener, but if you must know, you did me a greater favour than what you think I am doing for you. I learnt a lot about being resilient, about being strong and about never giving up against all odds just by being your friend and confidante. And I hope we will continue to be friends for a long time to come and that we can all be around for me to wish you another year of good health and cheer.
Again, Happy Birthday and Many Happy Returns. May all your dreams come true and you live to a ripe, mature age in good health and filled with all the happiness you deserve.
Lots of Love,
Azmi (and babies + Blackie)
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
p.s. Just so you know, we have a cake for you and I had managed to get 5 sticks of extra long "sparklers" (bunga api-remember the movie Autumn(or was it Winter)in New York) to light up the cake. We will freeze the cake and light it up whenever you are ready to make an appearance. Do make contact with me or your siblings, if possible before my 3rd chemo on May 24.....you said you would pick me up from the medical center remember? If you take too long to make an appearance, the cake may also do a disappearing act.....you know me and my sweet tooth....!