Its raya with a difference this year. Different for many reasons. This is the second year in a row since my late father left us that we didn’t make it to our home place in Alor Star, Kedah, our annual pilgrimage when raya would be spent at our ancestral home, my late father’s, at least for the first day of raya. Even then, it was never the total nine of us brothers and sisters together at one time cause kak would be in Penang with her in laws, abang sometimes will be there on the first day and most of the times not at all. Well we have our own reasons for not being there, turn to be with in-laws and all. But the permanent members will be a total of six of us. With the exception of my younger brother and another sister in Kuantan, the rest of us are stationed in KL and yet since the passing of late father, we felt it only right to be where he is being laid to rest, and also where mak feel closest to his presence.

When my late father was alive and especially during his working life, we had never made it home to Alor Star on Eidul Fitri or Eidul Adha because father will always be the one to compromise and look after the office , so to speak, to enable his office colleagues to celebrate with their beloved ones at their respective kampongs . In all my years, before marriage, raya is where my father was stationed. I don’t know how and what mother felt, because I suppose mother was ok with it, or was she?

This year we decided not to go back to Alor Star . For many reasons. Sure there were disappointed sighs now and then. But we decided perhaps now that mother is sort of stationed in a permanent home next to big sis’s, we will still do what we do if we are back in Alor Star, ie. planned and cooked the menu together. Well, almost, because being close to one’s home, preparing at home and bringing the cooked food is more convenient and all. But all the same, we managed to still keep the essence of it all intact and whole. With the exception of little brother, all 8 were here. And I think it was blast. It a first day well spent .

We are all home where mak is.

It was Raya with a different cause the baby of the family, played host for the first time. You did well Amal. Welcome home.