Hari Raya and the Elderly

Each year since I was born, Hari Raya will be celebrated not only by the children, but the celebration itself is something special for the elderly. For instance, a house that does not have senior citizens will be less visited compared to a house that has one. As this year in my family, we lost our mother but luckily we still have our grandmother. She is the one who is wearing the white with blue flowers baju kurung. She is 82 years old (that fact is according to the certificate that she posseses), but I believe she is older than that. Her name is Hajjah Maimunah Haji Isa (Nek Mai). She comes from a big family. Infact, the one who is sitting on a wheelchair is also my grandmother from my father's side. She is 2 years younger than Nek Mai. Her name is Rajemah Haji Isa (Nayeng). The one with emerald green baju kurung is Habibah Haji Isa who being called by us as Nek Hu. The one in the middle is Nek Isah (Aishah Ismail). This picture was taken in Balingian in Nayeng's house. This house also was the place where my mum collapsed which later taken her life. Nek Mai has 14 siblings. She is number six and Nayeng is number 7 while Nek Hu is number 12. Out of 14, there are only 8 left. On the first day Hari Raya at my home, the house was packed with people. My sister and I were very busy entertaining the guests. The living room and the kitchen were full with relatives. Maybe they were trying very best to console us after the demise of our mother. They did it very well. Thanks a lot. Anyway, for the elderly, Hari Raya is the day where they can meet and mix around with all ages. Like my Nek Mai always said, "Who knows this Hari Raya might be my last raya." To all the elderly...long life and have a prosper life.