A year older no longer

La, it was your birthday, La.

8 April.

It was 080408 this year. A nice number pattern, don't you think, La?

But this date has no meaning to you anymore...

La, do you know that the birth of you had an impact on many people's lives?

Without you born, Abah & Mak wouldn't have had their firstborn - a gift from God that is most anticipated by all married couples wishing to start a family.

Without you born, Atuk & Nenek wouldn't have had their first female grandchild.

Without you born, I wouldn't have had a sister.

Without you born, there would have been no Irfan and Ikhwan - the sunshine of our lives.

Without you born, hundreds of people wouldn't be doing whatever they are doing now where ever they are because their encounter, interactions and/or friendship with you formed a part of their lives and no matter how minor that part is, it has altered their lives in one way or another.

As it turns out, every birth has an impact on the whole universe, and so did yours.



La, 'til today, the accessories that I gave you on your birthday last year still remain unused. You liked them a lot because they were in black and gold. You'd wanted to wear them for Raya, maybe not the danglies. But you never had the chance to wear them.

I shall keep them in pristine condition, La. So that every year, on the day that I used to celebrate with you, I can look back in retrospect upon the last birthday gift that I had ever given my one and only sister.

I love you, La. I miss you.

Do accept my gift to you - a prayer filled with love and smeared with tears...