Faithfully

Alhamdulilah! A seemingly slow start to the day ended with triumphs all around! When it all seems so dull... Alhamddulilah! I was shown the light of His Generosity! Alhamdulilah! I prayed so much that tears were dripping! *Ok... pai seh... exaggerated a little bit*

Was at TTSH this morning. Ok, me is a volunteer with the Parkinson's Diesease Support Group. Today was a talk on excercise - in Mandarin. Su & I attended the session in English last month. Actually, the support group members consists of only 1 senior nurse and 1 admin staff. They give their time out to patients of this diesease through organising talks and activities (like going to the Zoo, Garden, Joo Chiat's Tiger Bar maybe?). Alhamdulilah! I've made so many friends today!

In the morning, before the talk started at 930am, I was in-charged of patient registration. Ms. Minder ("Mean-der") was my partner. Anyway, it was fun, asking patients to write down their names and NRIC number. The talk was free for members. Non-members had to pay $2. We collected $54! Wow! I was the "Money Man"! Yeah! I like!

When the talk started, I thought it best to stay out at the counter for a bit, just in case. And there were alot of people who were late. the talk shouldn't have started right on the dot lah! Alhamdulilah! Everyone had the chance to do actual excercise! Yeah! Me too!!! For parties who came late, I shouted behind the counter: "Auntie/Uncle ah! Lai ting jiang ah?!" Loosely translated, it means "Auntie/Uncle ah! Here for the talk ah?!". I got them to register, then showed them to the meeting room. Even when the talk started for a half hour, I'll tell them it's just started, so not to discourage them.

One thing I've learnt during my short three hours there. These people are strong. They refused wheel-chairs or help to stand or walk. Alhamdulilah! What courage! It's the care-givers whom are having trouble. Poor thing. Acceptance sometimes come a little later. Sigh... sometimes it takes years. I gather this from the conversations with some of them. Insya Allah, they'll grow to accept that it's part of life. Buddha said that the cycle of life consists of Birth, Old Age, Sickness & Death. No one can escape this. Insya Allah, we will all have the strength to face the future. Insya Allah!

Alhamdulilah! I made so many new friends! The staff there, the patients, the care-givers! Alhamdulilah! They were all waiting for someone just to speak to them, to show some concern, to just touch their hands. Insya Allah, I will continue to do this. Insya Allah, I will have the strength, tolerance, patience and all the virtues to be a source of help to these people. Insya Allah!

I picked Su up from her course later, at about 1pm. We were supposed to meet her mother, so that I can ask for her hand in marriage. Alhamdulilah! It's not as bad as we both thought it would be! Alhamdulilah!

And guess what?! I rented a room near her place in a private apartment! Alhamdulilah! Wonderful! How can I not love God for what He has done?! Alhamdulilah!!! It's cheaper than I expected! Wow!!! And it's walking distance to Su's house! Alhhamdulilah!!!

I have been so so touched by everything's that happened. Truly.

There were so many "firsts" since I've been in CG. I've prayed my first Friday Prayer in Ba'alwi. I learnt to be more forgiving. I learnt to me more humble. I've seen people for who they really are! Alhamdulilah! I would forever be indebted to Fauz for all that she has taught me. I pray that Allah would bless her with all things good! I passed my conversion test! Alhamdulilah! There's just so many memories here! Insya Allah, I will continue to experience such magical wonders! And now it seems, I've been introducing myself as Amir Hamzah! Alhamdulilah! Sometimes the "Jeremy" do come out, but I hope to be called Amir/Hamzah. Amir Hamzah. Mak Long calls me "Amir"!

I look forward to being married to Suraya. Suraya Ya'akub Wong. I like the sound of it. Insya Allah, it'll not take too long! Su & I both decided that her dad should stay with us. Su'll not work full-time. Insya Allah, we can get by. She'll look after her dad. I'm thinking of asking my grandparents to stay with me too. Insya Allah. I've not been a good son, nor a good person for that fact. I hope that this time, it'll be different. Insya Allah.

I've been a sinner through & through. I've neglected things that were important. I've neglected to live life as what Allah would want. I've failed as a citizen, a person, a son, a boss, a worker. I hope and pray every so hard everyday that I would be a better muslim & person. Insya Allah. For all of you reading this, I pray for you too. For I am grateful for your prayers to Suraya & myself. Insya Allah, all our prayers would answered. I am as touched as I am grateful.

jahwsl
11th Nov 06'
0858