Yusuf ...

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Muhammad Yusuf .  Born February 2014

He has a sister. 25 days old today. Zulaikha.

He also has an older sister. Sarah. About three years older than him.

~:~

For two weeks Yusuf was with Mak Lang. To give space to his Mother to recover.

Mak Lang has a large MPV to meet the needs of her big family.

Yusuf thinks his Dad's car could also be bigger. As big as Mak Lang's.

Yusuf: Ayah belilah kereta macam ni.

Ayah in jest: Banyak duit kau.

~;~

A few days later. Pak Lang was having a playful conversation with Yusuf.

Pak Lang: Yusuf, nanti bagitau Ayah bayar 50 ringgit sehari kat Pak Lang jaga Yusuf.

Yusuf: ... 

[Diam for awhile. He does not understand the value of RM50. But he knows that Pak Lang is talking about money].

~:~

Moments later they moved to the dining table.

Mak Lang, Pak Lang, Yusuf, Kakak (Anak Pak Lang & Mak Lang) were getting ready to eat.

While seated Kakak heard Yusuf uttering softly to himself.

"Nanti Mail cakap, banyak duit kau"

Pak Lang asked Kakak. What Yusuf said. And Kakak repeated.

They laughed. Of course.

Mail is Ismail. Yusuf's Ayah. Others refer to Ismail as Mail regularly in front of the children. So Yusuf picked Mail as an option for Ayah.

~;~

But as I heard this being narrated, I too laughed. Initially.

Then I felt like crying.

I was wondering what could be in Yusuf's mind as he uttered those words.

Was he feeling sorry for himself.

I don't know. 

And I would never know.

~:~

Our family is straight talking industrial family. People of industry. In contrast to people of politics (who has diplomacy) and intellectuals (who think before they speak).

~;~

At 3 plus years. Yusuf is learning to make connections. A pattern linking the concepts of:

 Money. Ayah. And Possibilities.

~:~

While parents, uncles and others around a child may be jesting, the child is processing the incoming utterances and actions in his or her own way. 

Yusuf at 1 year plus. Demam.

Yusuf. Yusuf kecik lagi. One day you may come across these written words. You may not remember anything. Mak mbong may or may not be around. 

But know that. Mak mbong loves you. You are named after our Beloved Prophets, Muhammad Salla llahu 'alayhi wasallam and Yusuf  'Alayhissalam. Whose life story is our inspiration towards understanding family issues, virtue of patience and forgiveness. 

May Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala protect you in your lifelong journey.