A Tribute to Yong
She had always been around for all of us. She was the glue that hold us all together. She would know the latest news (and gossips!) And made it her job to relay it to all of us. Although this earned her the title of CNN, it was meant in a good way. And every time us kids - the nieces and nephews mainly, had difficulty telling our parents certain things, she would be the one we all turn to get advice. She was our first boyfriends/girlfriends, she took us through heartbreaks, she even provided weekend shelter for a few of us who left home to study in the Klang Valley.
Yong is Mama's first cousin. The eldest daughter of Tok Chik (Ki's younger sister), Yong and Mama grew up together in that big house in Kampung Raja. After she completed her education in Tg Mahmud School, Yong fell in love with one of the teachers there and got married to Uncle. As Uncle was also in the education line, he and Aboh hit it off very well. Later, they moved to KT and lived about 10 minutes from where our house is. When my cousin entered their lives, everything centered towards their little princess. But she has never neglected the nieces and nephews who have had her attention before that. I am lucky for Tash and I are of the same age. Like our mothers, we practically grew up together. Yong mothered both of us when Mama was busy at school. She picked us up from kindy, took us collecting remis by the beach, brought us to the playground, read us books, accompanied us to ballet, etc. I guess it is true what Bro said to me - a close aunt covers the area your own mom can't do.
In 1987, Uncle got promotion and they had to move. It was heartbreaking for me to them leave for they were the only family I was close to at the time. But on the other hand it was also exciting for I get to spend my school holidays wherever they were posted! Yong remained the mother she'd always been no matter how long we've been apart from each other.
Post SPM : I left good ol' KT to join college. At the time when I got the offers to do my degree, I was away in the States for a month. Mama and Aboh accepted one on my behalf, and rejected the rest. I have to admit, it was the best decision at the moment. However, after a month there I was told that the terms and conditions changed. I would miss out completing my degree outside of Malaysia. I was upset, but I didn't want to make my parents feel bad. Who did I call? Yong. Who did I pour my heart out? Yong. And it was dearest aunty called my parents soon after to tell them I wasn't happy. Within two days, she picked me up and sent me back to settle things with my parents, who subsequently wrote a letter to my then sponsor to take me out of college. In a way, if it was not because of her interference, I won't be where I am today.
All the while in college, her house became my weekend getaway. Even though Tash was also away in college, I never felt more at home being there. She made sure I was fed and rested, and made it to all important functions Mama and Aboh couldn't attend. When I was overseas, she would always be there to send me off whenever I had to leave. She was the first family member I introduced Buster to, whom she'd taken to immediately. Buster too loved her from the first moment they were introduced.
Over the years, she extended the same hospitality and love to T and our younger cousins. T even had his own room in her house! Buster and I became regulars for breakfast. She picked up Jay's kids from school, who in return were at her house all the time. Even Tiny's elusive daughter became all talkative and manja when it came to their Tok Mi. Yong was indeed our mother away from home.
I spent my last two moments with her during raya. We went to Yong's house on the 4th raya - as soon as we came back from Terengganu. Although only with 10 minutes notice, she managed to serve us with 2 different kind of nasi! We also had cake for it was Tash's birthday. She was never happier to see us eat and fed us gossips about our family who celebrated raya in KL. She told us she might be going back to KT on Friday - to stay at 'Hotel Mama'. We promised to see her again before she left.
Thanks to Pak Long, we managed to keep that promise. We had dinner in Subang on Wednesday. Yong was all excited to see Pak Long, Abang, T and myself with our partners all at once. We were laughing over dinner, and we were laughing at her over desert. It was such a happy outing. Should I have known it would be our last, I would have hugged her a little tighter, and made her stay a little longer. My last conversation with her was on Saturday, to thank her for ordering Nasi Dagang for Daddy's open house. She sounded well and excited to be in Terengganu. I didn't talk to her long. My last word to her was - See you in KL!
I got the call from Aboh on Monday, 14th November at 4.45 pm. He just told me in a broken voice - I have not so good news. Yong dah tak ada. I made Aboh repeat it so many times for I couldn't believe my ears. But when I heard Mama crying in the background I knew it was true.
Yong passed away in Karak on her way back from KT. She complained of feeling feverish the night before, but refused to see the doctor when Mama suggested that morning. Pak Chik & mak Chik said she was fine all the way in the car, although she slept most of the time. She never complained of any illness. She even called Mama after lunch to inform that she was feeling better. Pak Chik decided to get a few minutes of sleep in Karak. At the fateful stop, Yong stepped out of the car and collapsed. Mak Chik came to help and put her on her lap, but by then she was already gasping for air. She never said anything, didn't answer to their calls and exhaled her last breath.
God loves her more, I know. The passing came so easy for her. But she has also left a huge void in all our lives. Uncle and Tash seem so lost. Us nieces and nephews are left with only memories of her warmth and grace. And I personally, lost my second mother.
Rest in peace, Puan Zahariah Abdul Majid. Semoga Allah mencucuri rahmat ke atas rohnya dan ditempatkan di kalangan orang-orang yang beriman.
Al Fatihah.
Yong is Mama's first cousin. The eldest daughter of Tok Chik (Ki's younger sister), Yong and Mama grew up together in that big house in Kampung Raja. After she completed her education in Tg Mahmud School, Yong fell in love with one of the teachers there and got married to Uncle. As Uncle was also in the education line, he and Aboh hit it off very well. Later, they moved to KT and lived about 10 minutes from where our house is. When my cousin entered their lives, everything centered towards their little princess. But she has never neglected the nieces and nephews who have had her attention before that. I am lucky for Tash and I are of the same age. Like our mothers, we practically grew up together. Yong mothered both of us when Mama was busy at school. She picked us up from kindy, took us collecting remis by the beach, brought us to the playground, read us books, accompanied us to ballet, etc. I guess it is true what Bro said to me - a close aunt covers the area your own mom can't do.
In 1987, Uncle got promotion and they had to move. It was heartbreaking for me to them leave for they were the only family I was close to at the time. But on the other hand it was also exciting for I get to spend my school holidays wherever they were posted! Yong remained the mother she'd always been no matter how long we've been apart from each other.
Post SPM : I left good ol' KT to join college. At the time when I got the offers to do my degree, I was away in the States for a month. Mama and Aboh accepted one on my behalf, and rejected the rest. I have to admit, it was the best decision at the moment. However, after a month there I was told that the terms and conditions changed. I would miss out completing my degree outside of Malaysia. I was upset, but I didn't want to make my parents feel bad. Who did I call? Yong. Who did I pour my heart out? Yong. And it was dearest aunty called my parents soon after to tell them I wasn't happy. Within two days, she picked me up and sent me back to settle things with my parents, who subsequently wrote a letter to my then sponsor to take me out of college. In a way, if it was not because of her interference, I won't be where I am today.
All the while in college, her house became my weekend getaway. Even though Tash was also away in college, I never felt more at home being there. She made sure I was fed and rested, and made it to all important functions Mama and Aboh couldn't attend. When I was overseas, she would always be there to send me off whenever I had to leave. She was the first family member I introduced Buster to, whom she'd taken to immediately. Buster too loved her from the first moment they were introduced.
Over the years, she extended the same hospitality and love to T and our younger cousins. T even had his own room in her house! Buster and I became regulars for breakfast. She picked up Jay's kids from school, who in return were at her house all the time. Even Tiny's elusive daughter became all talkative and manja when it came to their Tok Mi. Yong was indeed our mother away from home.
I spent my last two moments with her during raya. We went to Yong's house on the 4th raya - as soon as we came back from Terengganu. Although only with 10 minutes notice, she managed to serve us with 2 different kind of nasi! We also had cake for it was Tash's birthday. She was never happier to see us eat and fed us gossips about our family who celebrated raya in KL. She told us she might be going back to KT on Friday - to stay at 'Hotel Mama'. We promised to see her again before she left.
Thanks to Pak Long, we managed to keep that promise. We had dinner in Subang on Wednesday. Yong was all excited to see Pak Long, Abang, T and myself with our partners all at once. We were laughing over dinner, and we were laughing at her over desert. It was such a happy outing. Should I have known it would be our last, I would have hugged her a little tighter, and made her stay a little longer. My last conversation with her was on Saturday, to thank her for ordering Nasi Dagang for Daddy's open house. She sounded well and excited to be in Terengganu. I didn't talk to her long. My last word to her was - See you in KL!
I got the call from Aboh on Monday, 14th November at 4.45 pm. He just told me in a broken voice - I have not so good news. Yong dah tak ada. I made Aboh repeat it so many times for I couldn't believe my ears. But when I heard Mama crying in the background I knew it was true.
Yong passed away in Karak on her way back from KT. She complained of feeling feverish the night before, but refused to see the doctor when Mama suggested that morning. Pak Chik & mak Chik said she was fine all the way in the car, although she slept most of the time. She never complained of any illness. She even called Mama after lunch to inform that she was feeling better. Pak Chik decided to get a few minutes of sleep in Karak. At the fateful stop, Yong stepped out of the car and collapsed. Mak Chik came to help and put her on her lap, but by then she was already gasping for air. She never said anything, didn't answer to their calls and exhaled her last breath.
God loves her more, I know. The passing came so easy for her. But she has also left a huge void in all our lives. Uncle and Tash seem so lost. Us nieces and nephews are left with only memories of her warmth and grace. And I personally, lost my second mother.
Rest in peace, Puan Zahariah Abdul Majid. Semoga Allah mencucuri rahmat ke atas rohnya dan ditempatkan di kalangan orang-orang yang beriman.
Al Fatihah.
posted by lion3ss | 10:10 AM
5 Comments:
My Al-Fatihah to her..
Sorry for your huge loss. She musta been very very good during her lifetime as it came so easy for her.
Lets try to imitate her good deeds and pray for ours to be as easy as hers.
-bro-
Be strong!!
- McQuire -
Al-Fatihah..
Al Fatehah..and condolence to you.
Thank you all for the wishes and the Fatihahs.
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