“I suspected, however, that I wasn’t homesick for anything I would find at home when I returned. The longing was for what I wouldn’t find: the past and all the people and places there were lost to me. — Alice Steinbach
It is now 7.43 am. Yesterday evening, while I was having coffee with friends from KL....the wonderful Dr. Kamsiah and her better half, Jemi.... I received a message from KL
"Salam ....H can return asap".
My heart and mind flew across the sea and I found myself 6000km away in KL. The first thoughts in my mind were of the people that I will not see......for they are lost to me. My father, my mother, and my brother Mann have left my life. They are, I hope, in a better place away from the trials and tribulations of life that I must still endure. All I can now do for them is to go to their final resting place and say a doa for them and try to live the rest of my life the best way I can....to respect their memory.
And I will also miss the past. Time spent with cousins and friends who are also no more with me.
I am also sure that in the twelve years that I have been away from KL, much would have changed. The physical KL will change, and, I suspect, also, the people of KL.
The past decade has been tumultuous - too much confusion, too much excitement, and too much disorder that has changed our nation and our people for the worse rather than for the better. All this I will face with apprehension and, I hope, with a quiet acceptance, of the things I cannot change and a commitment to try and change what I can, also quietly.
And above all else, I will have to decide what I will do in KL. For this, I will have friends and time, to help me make up my mind. As a dear friend asked me two days ago:
Yes, I feel apprehension about what KL has now become after over a decade of change and turmoil, but at 75, I should be able to deal with it. I will want to meet with those of you who want to meet with me...because you read what I write...and....I write because you guys read what I write. We will make some time to do that.
Meantime, be good, do good, and be nice to one another.
Welcome home HH but plz check the immigration blacklist to ensure your name is no longer listed.😆
Welcome back. Would love to meet up with you if possible.
Godspeed HH, thanks be to the Almighty. Stay healthy.
Wishing you a wonderful trip home to balek kampung. Of course many things have changed, and its natural to feel apprehensive. But be sure you will be most welcomed home, at least by us who have bern inspired and given hope by your writing. Selamat berpuasa and selamat hari raya, akan datang.
sure you will touch down one of this day…..anyway a blessed and joyful raya to you bro. Stay happy,