Thursday 11 September 2008

“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal...

...love leaves a memory no one can steal."

It has been a week since my dad's passing.

I’m still in a daze and grieving but take comfort from the fact that he died peacefully on Thursday evening in the Blessed month of Ramadhan and was buried after Friday prayers during which thousands joined in the funeral congregation at the UIA mosque.

I haven’t been able to post anything but have been coming here and reading posts which I haven't been able to reply. My apologies.

So, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank those who have offered doas and sent condolences, flowers, texts, e-mails, paid tributes (read here, here and here), and who took time to attend my dad’s funeral.

A heart-felt thanks to all of you.

My siblings and I are deeply appreciative of the overwhelming outpouring of love and support during this difficult time.

We haven’t quite gotten over the trauma of my dad’s passing, but the reality that he is gone is slowly sinking in. Going to the family home in section 16 and not seeing him in his room, is something that we have to get accustomed to.

When Emak died 18 years ago, Bapak was the one whom we turned to. He was the binding force that kept us together. Now he is gone to an eternal place...to join Emak, his beloved wife, and his two daughters, kakak and Edah, who had departed earlier.

We love you Bapak and always will. You will be greatly missed. I know in my heart, you will always be.

We shall meet again, Insya Allah. But until then, rest in peace, dear Bapak.

Al fatiha.


Read also: Enah's Tuesdays without bapak here
Malaysiakini Veteran journalist Samad Ismail passes away here
Rocky'sbru here
and here

29 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am sorry for yr dad's passing.

I share yr pain. I lost my dad three months ago.

Hope you can remain strong for the rest of yr family.

May his soul rest in peace. Amen.

Kerp (Ph.D) said...

yea, we kept ourselves religiously updated via kak ena's blog since the news first broke out. reading hers, we can feel the pain but berat mata memandang berat lagi bahu memikul. my heartfelt condolences to you and the family. stay strong, aunty.

Rita Ho said...

Kak Ton ... My deepest sympathy to you and your family. Your memories of your dad will keep him close to you forever. It has been over 10 years since my own father passed away but he seems to be around all the time.

Take care.

musa said...

a delayed condolence to you and family. down with flu last week.

Lee said...

We are stranger and yet I feel for you.Pak Samad was indeed blessed to have daughters like you and Nuraina!
I can feel the love and close relationships both of you had with your dad just by visiting your blog and Nuraina's blog.May his soul rest in peace and may both of you continue to be strong and healthy.

Anonymous said...

Al-fatiha. May Allah SWT Bless his soul.

Amin.

zainul said...

Akak, every time you feel sad and weep for bapak, sedekahkan dia al-fatihah. then you will feel better. do this each and everytime. sometimes syaitan tricks us with our own feelings and spoil our day.

take care

salaam
zainul

Anonymous said...

Salam Kak Maria,
May Allah swt give you & family strength in the coming days & semoga Allah swt merahmati roh Pak Samad dialam sana, amin!

Hi&Lo said...

Kak Ton,

God loves Pak Samad more than our love for him. The All Merciful took him away on the blessed month of Ramadan.

Tho I am not a Muslim, I do contemplate the meaning of fasting.

Pak Samad is a national treasure. Those with a sense of history feel a sense of loss and a debt of gratitude for his travails.

We appreciate your family standing by him and a tower of strength during those years.

Pak Samad did not pass away. He leaves behind his soul and a great legacy of uprightness.

Anonymous said...

My deepest condolences.

Anonymous said...

Salam takziah buat seluruh keluarga dan semoga Allah mencucuri rahmat ke atas rohnya.

pemerhati said...

Alfatiha. I wish you and your family well.

Sorry on the loss of your beloved father.

Be stronng and bersabar because "kesabaran itu adalah separuh dari Iman."

zaitgha said...

"When Emak died 18 years ago, Bapak was the one whom we turned to. He was the binding force that kept us together"....

Kak Ton,

these really touched the core of my bones, my mum died 15 years ago and my Abah was there for me and the siblings....he passed on last April last year and i still feel his presence around when i am at my sis's place...

Al Fatihah ....

Saya... said...

Salam Kak MAria,

Good to hear from you again.

InsyaAllah we will all join our loved ones...inescapable...

One of the three things which reaches a parent, doa of a pious child....

Anonymous said...

May God give you and your siblings the strength to deal with the loss of your beloved Bapak.

Take care Kak Ton.

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry for your loss. The pain of your dad's passing will ease in time.

I offer you my deepest heartfelt compassion and a virtual hug.

Take care.

Salt N Turmeric said...

Kak Ton, takziah and alfatihah. Like Kerp said, berat mata memandang, berat lagi bahu yg memikul.

Anonymous said...

I am sorry for the loss of your beloved dad. I lost mine five years ago and I was in total shock for many years after his passing.

Festive seasons are always hard on me and I'm usually very sad.

But it will get better. The pain will subside as the years go by.

It is easier said, but I've been through it all. Hang on to the happy memories and the good that your dad did in your life.

Take care.

mawar said...

Al- fateha.

Salam takziah. Semoga Allah mencucuri Rahmat ke atas roh seorang pejuang bangsa.

Amin.

mawar said...

Al- fateha.

Salam takziah. Semoga Allah mencucuri Rahmat ke atas roh seorang pejuang bangsa.

Amin.

Anonymous said...

salam maria,

Takziah atas kepulangan ayahanda ke rahmatullah.

His death is a loss to the nation.

Al-fatiha

Anonymous said...

May you find strength in the Almighty and the knowledge that your dad is in a better place.

Take care and God bless.

Anonymous said...

A belated condolence. May Allah bless his soul.

Al fatiha

Unknown said...

My condolence to the family..

Anonymous said...

He was a towering Malaysian - a true nationalist. A gem so rare.

May Allah bless his soul and may he rest in pecae.

Al fatiha.

Ahmad A Talib said...

Maria,

I'm initiating something in memory of Pak Samad. I wrote about it in my blog yesterday. Appreciate your comments. TQ

PAHIT MANIS

Anonymous said...

My Dear Maria,

It is with deep regret that I read of your father's demise.

I can sense your irreplaceable loss. I still miss my father.

Our fathers belonged to a class of their own...giving meaning to the words like sacrifice,leadership, responsibility, integrity, honour, loyalty, hardwork, humility & fairness...& the list can go on.

You & your siblings must feel grateful to have shared his life!

His legacy will & must be continued thru you & your siblings.

My family & I join you & your family to pray for the repose of his soul.

May he rest in peace.

Kindly covey our heartfelt condolences to the rest of the family.

Vino Narayanan & family

Anonymous said...

Dear Maria,

My deepest condolence to you and to your family. I have always known that he was a courageous journalist and a great man, even when we were kids. My regret is that I never appreciated him as the icon he really was to several generations of thinking folks. It is indeed a sad day for Malaysia when he passed on. I hope that there are other courageous Malaysians he inspired who will continue his work. More than ever, Malaysia needs men who speak the truth and who love the idea of a multi-racial society. Thank you for sharing your loss. I look forward to catching up with you by email or in person next year.

With love and sympathy,

Gek

Anonymous said...

Hi honey and my very special friend.

Hope and pray to god that you have recovered from passing away of your father. I read your blog and it deeply sadened me. I am glad I had the honor to meet him. God bless his soul and give u all enough strength to make it through this difficult time. My prayers r with u all. I love you we all miss u pls try to come & visit us. I am sending this from my mobile, otherwise I hardly go to computer, getting old and work makes me tired.

My love to u all. Hope to see u.

Jila Hamidieh