The annual 8th May Mother’s Day has become another excuse for us Omarians sisters to get together. It was never on our annual calendar. Only in recent years. I think it was after 1998, the year our father passed away. That event brought us closer as siblings of the late Dato Wan Omar . There were times when sisters of my mother were also invited , especially my mother’s late elder sister Wa Wan Chah and another sister in KL, Mak Tam Wan Habsah. Their presence and well as the presence of our respective children made the occasion even more meaningful.

Well, no grand Mother of the Year award, no grand presentations of plaques on the national news whatever. But like millions of mothers out there, no amount of monetary rewards or what ever can replace that personel touch from their children, that personel call to say I love you , I appreciate you, that words simple they maybe but those are the words that matters most to any living mum on this beautiful earth.

Well, May 8th 2011 was here yesterday. Except for the occasional SMS from sisters and friends, there was no gathering of the sisters.
But what I went through the last 2 days, having met two mums, whom I have lost touch with for many many years have brought about a new perspective on the word mum.
My late father’s sister in-law. I have not met her for many years. She was a person who was kept out of the limelight by my late uncle, my father’s only brother. The urge to pursue her whereabouts was great this time around. I managed to track her with the help of my mum’s cousin and her sister. It was the most heart wrenching moment ever. I cannot bring myself to put down in words, but it was a moment that I wished that I had never witnessed. No matter what, and how . If I were to sit down and analysed and dissect the whys and so on, I suppose at the end of the day, she did and she is doing is the best for her children, she best she knows how. That much I can say.

My other encounter was with my father’s adopted sister, also last met about 15 years ago. With 12 children and being a widow, she has managed well. Two other children, both sons, have passed on. It was a relief that I didn’t have to witness a repeat of the first scene this time around. Her children are doing well, mostly married and she looks well.

Yesterday too, was the day my mum gathered with her other siblings to finally signed the deed of her late father’s house and land. It was a sad moment for me. When the actual day came, she was not aware of the on goings. Except for the occasional chats with her sisters, she was in her own world oblivious to the excitements and talks amongst her other siblings that after 38 years, it is finally over, short of one elder sister and brother who both have moved on. Al- Fatihah.

I got this most meaningful SMS from one of my office colleagues yesterday. I have forwarded it to my sisters and brothers:-

Sehebat mana cinta, hanya kepada ALLAH,
Setulus kasih untuk Rasul kepada umat,
Seikhlas sayang ibu kepada anak.
Salam hari Ibu ( telefon lah sementara masih ada- doa semoga ia dalam kerahmatan-NYA.

Happy Mother’s Day, dearest daughter of mine. Happy Mother’s Day to all my sisters and sisters law and all those mums out there. God Bless .