Behind it all

I always believe there is a reason for everything. Something behind it all. Like when I was small.

My father was a soldier. When we were small he was seldom around. Either he was guarding the jungle or he was stationed in Sabah or Sarawak, across the ocean. Mom was stranded at home with a baby to take care of. I was the eldest. Naturally I have to take over my father's place to manage the family. Mode of transportation was the public bus. No car, no motorbike. I had a bicycle that I used to go to town and buy our weekly food supply. On my way home, my bicycle was laden with grocery bags. There were plastic bags on the front handle and on the back of my bicycle. If ever my tyre punctured, I had to push my overloaded bicycle all the way home, climbing up the steep hill.

If I'm sick, I would ride the bus on my own and went to the army hospital. I registered myself. The nurse on duty had to looked down over the counter to see her small patient. There usual question would popped out of her mouth, "Where's your parents?". I would asked the doctor to give me double dose because my younger sister had fever too but she was afraid to ride the bus with me without any grown up. I was used to doing things for myself.

All the hardship has transformed me into a tough person. I thanked to Allah for the strength all these experiences had given me. It's nothing compared to the strength Gaza people had inside them. Israel regime cannot kill the spirit and strength they had inside them. Their homes, offices and schools are torn down. Their comrades are killed by the day. But their faith to Allah is impenetrable.

So don't complaint about the hardship that we are facing. I have long changed from a person asking "Why me?" to a person asking "What's good in store for me after all these is over?". Always looking forward to the hidden pleasure behind all the hardships. Try to see the benefits behind it all that are waiting for us. May Allah gives us the strength.

May Allah bless us all. Ameen.

laden - heavily loaded or weighed down : a tree laden with apples | [incombination ] the moisture-laden air.